Everyone experiences anxiety from time to time, and there are a number of things that can trigger it. For some people, anxiety is brought on by work or school-related stressors, while for others, it might be triggered by personal relationships or even health concerns.
Whatever the case may be, it’s important to find ways to cope with anxiety so that it doesn’t take over your life. Some people into sports search the web for the latest nfl picks against the spread and place bets on the NFL to relax. Sometimes, the simplest solution is to find a hobby at home that helps you relax and distract yourself from whatever is causing your anxiety.
Let’s explore which ones work!
WHICH PASTIMES ARE MOST EFFECTIVE FOR RELIEVING ANXIETY?
Here are the top three pastimes you can do to relieve anxiety at home:
• Take up knitting or crocheting – Not only is this a relatively simple activity that anyone can do, but it’s also very therapeutic. The repetitive motions involved in knitting or crocheting can help to calm and focus the mind, making it an ideal activity for those who suffer from anxiety.
• Get lost in a good book – Reading can transport you to another world and help you forget about your troubles for a little while. Whether you prefer fiction or non-fiction, make sure to keep a few good books on hand so that you can reach for them when you start feeling anxious.
• Listen to calming music – music has been shown to be an effective way of reducing stress and anxiety levels. Create a playlist of your favorite calm and soothing songs so that you can play them whenever you start feeling anxious.
HOW LONG DO THESE PASTIMES TYPICALLY TAKE TO WORK?
We can’t provide a one-size answer to this question, as the time for the pastime to start working will depend from person to person. Some people find that activities like yoga or meditation help to calm their mind and body, while others may prefer to engage in more active pursuits like running or hiking.
Ultimately, the best way to relieve anxiety is to find an activity that works for you and that you enjoy doing and take your time.
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOUR CHOSEN PASTIME DOESN’T SEEM TO BE HELPING YOUR ANXIETY?
Different people will have different experiences with different pastimes. However, if you find that your chosen pastime isn’t helping your anxiety, it’s important to reassess why you’re doing it.
Are you doing it because you enjoy it, or because you feel like you should? If it’s the latter, then it’s likely that your anxiety is actually making it harder for you to enjoy the activity. In this case, it might be best to try something else.
On the other hand, if you’re doing it because you genuinely enjoy it, then it’s possible that your anxiety is just making it harder to focus. In this case, it might be helpful to try some relaxation techniques beforehand or to find a way to make the activity more relaxing (such as listening to calm music while you do it).
