You don’t have to engage in vigorous exercise to stay active. Staying active brings a lot of benefits to not only our physical health but also our mental health. Here are some other ways you can keep active and their benefits.
Reading
Try reading a fiction novel as immersing yourself in a fictional character have indicated that it can help in improving the reader’s sense of empathy, strengthen their social skills as well as calm the mind and relax the body. Diving into a good book can also help in decreasing your blood pressure and slowing your heart rate.
Crocheting
As you crochet, you would need to focus on each stitch, your breath, your stitch count. This focus allows your thoughts to tune into what you’re sensing at the present moment rather than rehashing the past or imagining the future. It is a calming hobby that you can pick up to keep you busy.
Exercise
If you are feeling anxious and stressed, a strenuous exercise that matches your anxiety and stress levels could be good for you and keeps you from wallowing in your thoughts. If you are feeling sad or low, trying a mindful walk or low impact exercises like stretching or yoga could lift your mood significantly.
Painting or drawing
Creating art is a traditional hobby that never gets old. Creating art promotes stress relief as your mind relaxes and your hand does all the work. Even if you don’t consider yourself to be creative, anyone can build this skill. Stimulating your creative juices can relieve some of your mental strain.
Reach out to others
Your social support network is very important in making you more resilient to stress. Try involving yourself with local societies where you can share your thoughts and connect with like-minded people.
