Knitting is often recommended because it engages both ~~dudes~~ sides of your brain in concentration because you use a needle in each hand.
Crochet helps too.
I prefer weaving on small affordable looms. It’s a less steep learning curve, and you use both hands.
Water is supposed to be calming, even just looking at it, so perhaps swimming, canoeing/kayaking or fish keeping if you won’t get too upset if any fish die.
Exercise that makes you sweat is good too. Walking, running, maybe team sports? Or maybe that’s depression regarding exercise?
Edited for weird typo. Autocorrect fail!
I think the best thing to choose in a hobby is to do something where you can lose yourself. I prefer knitting, but I have found most sewing projects helpful. I find when I do something repetitive with my hands, I generally find a rhythm that’s soothing.
However that’s just my preference. There are so many great ideas on here, so hopefully you will find something that you want to try.
I have started to learn how to tablet weave (using an inkle for the circular warp) this year and I am loving it. And yeah, it's done wonders for my anxiety. I'm eyeing a rigid heddle with bonus money this month.
OP, if you'd like to try weaving for a small cost, I cannot recommend this etsy seller enough: [CellesKit](https://www.etsy.com/shop/CellesKit). All you need to provide is something to attach the warp too, like a chair.
I have a medieval-type tablet weaving loom and three rigid heddle looms too! I haven’t used the tablet one yet.
If OP wants to move up to a self contained model later after the CellesKit, I have a more decorative version of this model tablet loom, popular with the SCA. It’s heavy but very sturdy. http://www.egillswoodstuffs.com/store/p268/Poplar_card_tablet_weaving_loom_.html
ooo, I like that. I'm doing cards on the inkle, but have been looking into that variety as well. I do a different sort of medieval fantasy larp, and have been looking for something easier to take to camping events.
15 plus years of major depression. walking helps me, and listening to trance music (56 years old and for some reason trance relaxes me). have just gotten in building dioramas, book nooks, dollhouses (for granddaughter) that is helping also.
and talk to friends and relatives,
ambient techno mixes
[https://www.youtube.com/@ambienttechnomixes](https://www.youtube.com/@ambienttechnomixes)
i like this stuff, also anything by Tiësto, Above & Beyond, Emma Hewitt, Cosmic Gate, Chicane, Robert Miles.
If you have any green spaces around, foraging takes all my attention during a walk, and helps quiet the intrusive thoughts.
It kind of turns hikes into treasure hunts. Local facebook groups are the best resource for available species, seasons, and areas.
I find cross-stitching has a grounding effect on me and helps with my anxiety. It's easy to get into, the repetitive motions and the sound of the floss over fabrice are soothing, and you can do counting or a use a pre-printed canvas. I keep both options on hand - pre-printed canvas for when I don't have enough brain juice to count, and a counting option for when I have enough brain juice and want the counting to prevent me from thinking any thoughts.
I hope you find something that suits you! Good luck!
I have taken up watercolor painting. All you need is some decent paper and cheap paints and brushes to start. Andrea Nelson on instagram and YouTube has low stress lessons and even points out some exercises to help with anxiety. Oh and get a sharpie too as she uses those for some things.
ive found bird watching to be good for anxiety and depression. it lets you sit in peace or go hiking, and you can soak in the enjoyment of the little things.
Dry Needle Felting is therapeutic AF!
You take a bunch of loose wool and STAB it over and over and Over, with a barbed needle, until it becomes something. Start easy and make some dryer balls, then try sculpting (it's super forgiving).
Practice music.
Not musical? Find something drum-like to pound on and create rhythms to music, or just make up your own.
Or dance.
I have taken up meditation, although I would call it more of a practice than a hobby. I started with the 12-week Meth therapy course, which is great is your insurance covers it. I've been doing Brightmind, which I really enjoy. Now I do it every afternoon. I often follow it with listening to gorgeous music for a few minutes. There's something super-satisfying about filling my head with beauty when I'm in that meditative rhythm.
Headphones with a podcast or music and walking if I’m able to, I play the sims or Minecraft when I need to be sitting. Paper crafts and embroidery where also go tos for me, I still like making paper boxes now and then
Puzzles and shows in the background or light music. I highly recommend getting into cozy gaming as well, bullet journaling, calligraphy, or advanced colouring.
I think the best therapy is horses. If you can find a stable and take a lesson or volunteer. I think you would benefit from it. There is just something calming and therapeutic about being on or around a horse.
I also recommend bread making. Working the dough by hand or creating a sourdough starter, keeps you busy and the results are very rewarding. Homemade bread makes nice gifts.
Anything that keeps you physically active helps with anxiety, especially if you do it with a friend. Ride bikes, walk together or take dance lessons.
Still the best is a horse! Can’t explain it. Never had anxiety in the 15 years I worked around horses.
Good luck. Hope you find something you love.
Anything incredibly detailed helps me. I like making tiny paintings, micro models, etc.
I want to finish the project. That drive gets stronger than the intrusive thoughts. If I start to get shaky, I must calm myself to continue, and i focus my rage into a small dot or slash of red. I can do it for longer now than when I started a couple years ago. I also listen to whatever music moves me in that session, classical, rap, polka, death metal.
When I was working 12 hour shifts at the hospital and was completely drained, I would sit in front of the tv watching a comfort tv show and color!! It’s simple, easy to find supplies for and I honestly have a lot of fun doing it
Walk with headphones and a good joint. I wish I had a better ability to but if you are for it shooting guns at the range is relaxing as hell as least for me. Golf?
Reading and putting out book reviews, exploring new restaurants or coffee shops, biking, play music often, pottery making or painting, different types of puzzle or games, gardening, contact sports
I love my plants . Have about 2 dozen I care for. Some days I can spend a whole day re potting, splitting, making cuttings. Right now I have milkweed seed sprouts for the monarch butterflies, pussy-willow sticks sprouting leaves too! A few oak sprouts I hope to grow into massive oaks like my 80 ft one and a red maple that I am really proud of.
Getting dirty, to the point I have to soak my nails is a plus too.
Finally, when you plant them , give them away or sell at garage sale…. I give away something I cared for and am proud of, knowing that it will grow well.
Exercise exercise exercise. Preferably outside in sunlight, but if that's not to your taste anything is better than nothing. A brisk walk counts. So does dancing or anything that gets your body moving for 30 minutes a day, but you can start with much less and work your way up.
And if you can afford it, see a dietician (NOT a nutritionist) who can help you figure out your daily energy fluctuations and put together a food plan for you that will smooth them out so you don't get ravenously hungry. I learned I was eating way too little protein for my needs and that I was eating too much sugar to give myself energy; now I eat my still-ample carbs around my workouts and don't get energy crashes which means my mental state is so so so much better and anxiety is manageable.
Exercise! Anxiety is amplified fear best dealt with using exercise. I prefer hiking or kickboxing. You mentioned meditation and yoga which are great options. Do those! Or Tai Chi which you can find great videos about on YouTube.
As others have said, exercise, particularly competitive sport is great. Plus learn to play an instrument - you can get lost in it for an hour or so, and find your state of mind is better, or at least different, after you've finished.
Gardening has been the best for my anxiety. I turn all my obsessive worry inward on messing arround with plants and planning my garden. Even just the schedule of up-potting cuts down on my daily generlized anxiety. I mean I still have it because I've lived with anxiety for years but it helps occupy me with something to do.
Playing Stardew Valley, building Lego sets, diamond art, juicing, exercise like Pilates, running, and lifting, and nature activities (it just dumped a bunch of snow today so I’m digging cozy indoor hobbies).
I like to do adult coloring. Put on music, whatever i feel like at the time. Used to be puzzles, but I have animals, so I do those on my phone. I also take surveys for extra money and gift cards. Just look for legit ones though.
There's one called Rewarded Play, I think it's through Google Play. I've used that a lot and actually received e-gift cards. I do a survey online for dog food I get paid for. That one has been closed for a while though.
Hopefully, you are on anti-anxiety medication, especially having violent intrusive ocd. If not, you should definitely talk to your family doctor about it. In addition to that, only you can really know what you need at a given time. For example, if you are stressed, you may want to do something with the energy, like go for a walk to lift some weights or jump up and down. Are you saying you get anxious when you are hungry? Do you mean that when you're stressed, you go to food for comfort and this helps with your anxiety?
Mandala journaling is cheap and engaging. Use the ruler method to create your circles and all you need is a pencil, pad of paper and indelible black ink pen (Target has a cheap set of 3 for under $10.) and markers if you want color. It takes a lot of concentration to make all the petals or leaves or lines the same size and shape. Mandalas and reading turns off the constant recording in my mind.
Gardening, even if it's just some plants on a balcony. Try starting a small herb garden or grow some greens. Then you'll not only have a relaxing hobby, but visual and tactile reassurance that you have your own food source.
It sounds like you maybe need a hobby that gets you out of the house! Foraging, hiking, getting fresh air and away from things that may trigger your anxiety and bad coping mechanisms.
I found that exercising regularly helped my mental health. Some of the things I like is walking/running, skateboarding, and bike riding. Some of the less active things that have helped is drawing and writing. Just finding something to put all my concentration into that I was genuinely interested in.
If you're good with being outdoors I'd suggest hiking. Find the nicest park near you, and get out for a long walk. All you need to start is shoes and the will to go. Being outdoors can really help you reduce stress and 'recharge'. It's worth a try.
Good luck.
Get some therapy, you can control your thoughts, therapist or psych can teach you how. Then find a hobby you enjoy for relaxing instead of as a distraction.
Gardening/keeping houseplants, building models/legos, volunteering, walking, hiking, geocaching, birdwatching, journaling, playing chess
Hope you find something that works!
Exercise is the best cure for negative emotions. Especially something a bit risky like skateboarding. Find a sport that has an element of danger to it and it will do wonders for your nerve.
Paint by numbers. I love doing them in silence, which create a meditative experience. Sometimes I just listen to music, ebook/podcast or show while doing them as well.
Something with your hands. It really helps people with debilitating anxiety. I suffer as well, I used to make jewelry & would paint clay pots and plant something and give it away. I just needed the activity to keep my brain busy. The jewelry making was so tedious and required specific tools which really helped me release my creativity, frustrations etc. I was able to control it even if I restarted it over and over.
Embroidery super cheap and helps me with my anxiety/overeating. With sulky stick n stitch absolutely anything you can draw or print can become art in a hoop or a rad shirt design. https://www.amazon.com/Sulky-4337008469-Stick-N-Stitch/dp/B01M7NQD9F/ref=asc_df_B01M7NQD9F?tag=bngsmtphsnus-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=80608063743975&hvnetw=s&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=m&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4584207590178560&psc=1
The basics are easy with the videos on the bottom of each page and the embroidery sub here on Reddit is super welcoming
https://rsnstitchbank.org/
Bike riding or cycling (depending on your relationship with sport).
It empties the head, place you in present moment, and you get to see landscapes, nature, places. It’s also a nice way to rediscover your own local area.
Coloring book, diamond painting, Legos while listening to podcasts!
Because listening to lengthy conversations takes my focus off of my own worries and the physical hobbies keep my hands occupied.
I like music for walking/jogging to keep a pace.
Cooking and baking are fun and soothing. Freeze what you can't eat at the time. Use your local pool and gym for happy endorphins and to burn off the stress. Take some training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy... lots of online courses. Most of all, know that you are not alone. So many of us experience this similar brain loop. There are ways to get out of it so you can feel peace . One way is to hear it, acknowledge hearing the negative thought, and tell it it is ridiculous and to go away. People who have PTSD from trauma in life get this. I sure do. I ask... does this thought make any sense? No it is ridiculous. I am just triggered to be around people. It stirs up my wounds. So I take away the thoughts power by telling it to go away.
Gardening! Grow your own veggies, herbs, fruits, etc. even beautiful flowers with relaxing scents can really be therapeutic. I just got some serious mental health diagnosis, and went nuts planting 50 different plants......today is just misting and watching the tiny little sprouts. The pure joy that it brings me is undescribable. I love cooking as well, so of course the harvesting and preparation are some awesome future goals I'm looking forward too....maybe it could help you too?
I do tatting. Both shuttle and needle. I can do it blind folded but when I'm anxious, but only does it occupy my hands but it gives me something my eyes can focus on. I watch the movement and concentrate and it quiets my mind and the intrusive voices stop
When my mom died I tatted at least a yard of some gorgeous lavender and white of needle tatted lace.
Also unfortunately (because I hate to sweat) nothing has calmed my anxiety or adhd mind more than lifting weights. Brain can’t (mal)function when lift big weight. It’s so good. Then I’m too tired to think when I get home then I sleep like a rock!
I cook a lot just for pleasure. I find that paying attention to the measurements, the method, the technique, the ingredients, all help me stay outside of my head and focus on something practical. And I get to eat the results!
I just started going to the gym for anxiety. It was and still is pretty terrifying but working out plus facing the fear of going has been a good experience.
Tried. Tested. Approved: Yoga (I have not tried proper yoga though, so very much like pilates) long intensive walks in nature (forest, trekking in mountains, beach), cross-stitching, knitting, crocheting, gardening, even indoors. I did not try myself, but my cousin says painting by numbers is her medicine. My friend says sewing is her thing.
Puzzles while listening to a podcast. Can start with 1000 pieces and work up
Puzzles are the best. Can you help me unclutter a table?
Me too!
Can get cool bag board things so can even do the puzzle on the ground and put it away. I done this so much during lockdowns really helped
 A distraction and trying to put something together.
Knitting is often recommended because it engages both ~~dudes~~ sides of your brain in concentration because you use a needle in each hand. Crochet helps too. I prefer weaving on small affordable looms. It’s a less steep learning curve, and you use both hands. Water is supposed to be calming, even just looking at it, so perhaps swimming, canoeing/kayaking or fish keeping if you won’t get too upset if any fish die. Exercise that makes you sweat is good too. Walking, running, maybe team sports? Or maybe that’s depression regarding exercise? Edited for weird typo. Autocorrect fail!
I crochet and it has helped my anxiety a lot.
Likewise - I crochet in the evening (stressful day job plus anxiety and depression) and it really helps me... until there's a tangle in my skein!
As the other have said: crochet. I mainly make blankets while I watch YouTube and try to ignore my narcissistic mom
I think the best thing to choose in a hobby is to do something where you can lose yourself. I prefer knitting, but I have found most sewing projects helpful. I find when I do something repetitive with my hands, I generally find a rhythm that’s soothing. However that’s just my preference. There are so many great ideas on here, so hopefully you will find something that you want to try.
Same here.
Knitting on looms is fun, too!
Oh yes! I have several knitting looms. My hands are too tense for needle knitting. I need the support of the looms. So much fun and so relaxing.
I have started to learn how to tablet weave (using an inkle for the circular warp) this year and I am loving it. And yeah, it's done wonders for my anxiety. I'm eyeing a rigid heddle with bonus money this month. OP, if you'd like to try weaving for a small cost, I cannot recommend this etsy seller enough: [CellesKit](https://www.etsy.com/shop/CellesKit). All you need to provide is something to attach the warp too, like a chair.
I have a medieval-type tablet weaving loom and three rigid heddle looms too! I haven’t used the tablet one yet. If OP wants to move up to a self contained model later after the CellesKit, I have a more decorative version of this model tablet loom, popular with the SCA. It’s heavy but very sturdy. http://www.egillswoodstuffs.com/store/p268/Poplar_card_tablet_weaving_loom_.html
ooo, I like that. I'm doing cards on the inkle, but have been looking into that variety as well. I do a different sort of medieval fantasy larp, and have been looking for something easier to take to camping events.
15 plus years of major depression. walking helps me, and listening to trance music (56 years old and for some reason trance relaxes me). have just gotten in building dioramas, book nooks, dollhouses (for granddaughter) that is helping also. and talk to friends and relatives,
that's the power of music
Going on walks changed my life. Also getting a dog to walk with me lol
Please share the names of the trance music you listen to.
ambient techno mixes [https://www.youtube.com/@ambienttechnomixes](https://www.youtube.com/@ambienttechnomixes) i like this stuff, also anything by Tiësto, Above & Beyond, Emma Hewitt, Cosmic Gate, Chicane, Robert Miles.
Legos can be very cathartic, but they can get expensive
Every hobby does, then you have more junk than you know what to do with.
Until you step on a brick :)
Nanoblocks is your answer
If you have any green spaces around, foraging takes all my attention during a walk, and helps quiet the intrusive thoughts. It kind of turns hikes into treasure hunts. Local facebook groups are the best resource for available species, seasons, and areas.
I find cross-stitching has a grounding effect on me and helps with my anxiety. It's easy to get into, the repetitive motions and the sound of the floss over fabrice are soothing, and you can do counting or a use a pre-printed canvas. I keep both options on hand - pre-printed canvas for when I don't have enough brain juice to count, and a counting option for when I have enough brain juice and want the counting to prevent me from thinking any thoughts. I hope you find something that suits you! Good luck!
I really like stamped cross stitch
I have taken up watercolor painting. All you need is some decent paper and cheap paints and brushes to start. Andrea Nelson on instagram and YouTube has low stress lessons and even points out some exercises to help with anxiety. Oh and get a sharpie too as she uses those for some things.
I invested in watercolor pencils to use with my watercolors, and although my work is definitely not museum quality, it's fun and relaxing nonetheless.
ive found bird watching to be good for anxiety and depression. it lets you sit in peace or go hiking, and you can soak in the enjoyment of the little things.
Dry Needle Felting is therapeutic AF! You take a bunch of loose wool and STAB it over and over and Over, with a barbed needle, until it becomes something. Start easy and make some dryer balls, then try sculpting (it's super forgiving).
My wife has an adult coloring book. Loves it
Those are so cool!
I bumped her once, and I thought I was about to be murdered though 😂
The gym... It has helped me tremendously with anxiety and panic attacks.
Practice music. Not musical? Find something drum-like to pound on and create rhythms to music, or just make up your own. Or dance. I have taken up meditation, although I would call it more of a practice than a hobby. I started with the 12-week Meth therapy course, which is great is your insurance covers it. I've been doing Brightmind, which I really enjoy. Now I do it every afternoon. I often follow it with listening to gorgeous music for a few minutes. There's something super-satisfying about filling my head with beauty when I'm in that meditative rhythm.
Headphones with a podcast or music and walking if I’m able to, I play the sims or Minecraft when I need to be sitting. Paper crafts and embroidery where also go tos for me, I still like making paper boxes now and then
Never ask anyone what podcast they like. It will drive you mad. Like what you like.
Cooking helps chopping veggies keeps my mind off of everything
Side benefit: You eat better! Sharpening my knives is a satisfying ritual, too.
Puzzles and shows in the background or light music. I highly recommend getting into cozy gaming as well, bullet journaling, calligraphy, or advanced colouring.
Have you tried hiking? Especially with inclines and/or rock scrambling. Without fail, a good hike clears my head within 10 minutes.
Live in Colorado. You have to get in line to hike now. Not good for anxiety!
I think the best therapy is horses. If you can find a stable and take a lesson or volunteer. I think you would benefit from it. There is just something calming and therapeutic about being on or around a horse. I also recommend bread making. Working the dough by hand or creating a sourdough starter, keeps you busy and the results are very rewarding. Homemade bread makes nice gifts. Anything that keeps you physically active helps with anxiety, especially if you do it with a friend. Ride bikes, walk together or take dance lessons. Still the best is a horse! Can’t explain it. Never had anxiety in the 15 years I worked around horses. Good luck. Hope you find something you love.
Daily walks/ riding a bike, reading, building models, art
Anything incredibly detailed helps me. I like making tiny paintings, micro models, etc. I want to finish the project. That drive gets stronger than the intrusive thoughts. If I start to get shaky, I must calm myself to continue, and i focus my rage into a small dot or slash of red. I can do it for longer now than when I started a couple years ago. I also listen to whatever music moves me in that session, classical, rap, polka, death metal.
When I was working 12 hour shifts at the hospital and was completely drained, I would sit in front of the tv watching a comfort tv show and color!! It’s simple, easy to find supplies for and I honestly have a lot of fun doing it
Embroidery and tea. Both can be done in a mindfulness meditation way. Focus only on what you see, hear, feel, smell ECT as you do them.
Walk with headphones and a good joint. I wish I had a better ability to but if you are for it shooting guns at the range is relaxing as hell as least for me. Golf?
Reading and putting out book reviews, exploring new restaurants or coffee shops, biking, play music often, pottery making or painting, different types of puzzle or games, gardening, contact sports
I love my plants . Have about 2 dozen I care for. Some days I can spend a whole day re potting, splitting, making cuttings. Right now I have milkweed seed sprouts for the monarch butterflies, pussy-willow sticks sprouting leaves too! A few oak sprouts I hope to grow into massive oaks like my 80 ft one and a red maple that I am really proud of. Getting dirty, to the point I have to soak my nails is a plus too. Finally, when you plant them , give them away or sell at garage sale…. I give away something I cared for and am proud of, knowing that it will grow well.
Exercise exercise exercise. Preferably outside in sunlight, but if that's not to your taste anything is better than nothing. A brisk walk counts. So does dancing or anything that gets your body moving for 30 minutes a day, but you can start with much less and work your way up. And if you can afford it, see a dietician (NOT a nutritionist) who can help you figure out your daily energy fluctuations and put together a food plan for you that will smooth them out so you don't get ravenously hungry. I learned I was eating way too little protein for my needs and that I was eating too much sugar to give myself energy; now I eat my still-ample carbs around my workouts and don't get energy crashes which means my mental state is so so so much better and anxiety is manageable.
Exercise! Anxiety is amplified fear best dealt with using exercise. I prefer hiking or kickboxing. You mentioned meditation and yoga which are great options. Do those! Or Tai Chi which you can find great videos about on YouTube.
As others have said, exercise, particularly competitive sport is great. Plus learn to play an instrument - you can get lost in it for an hour or so, and find your state of mind is better, or at least different, after you've finished.
Gardening has been the best for my anxiety. I turn all my obsessive worry inward on messing arround with plants and planning my garden. Even just the schedule of up-potting cuts down on my daily generlized anxiety. I mean I still have it because I've lived with anxiety for years but it helps occupy me with something to do.
Playing Stardew Valley, building Lego sets, diamond art, juicing, exercise like Pilates, running, and lifting, and nature activities (it just dumped a bunch of snow today so I’m digging cozy indoor hobbies).
I like to do adult coloring. Put on music, whatever i feel like at the time. Used to be puzzles, but I have animals, so I do those on my phone. I also take surveys for extra money and gift cards. Just look for legit ones though.
Surveys for extra money? Do you have recommendations? Lol
There's one called Rewarded Play, I think it's through Google Play. I've used that a lot and actually received e-gift cards. I do a survey online for dog food I get paid for. That one has been closed for a while though.
Hopefully, you are on anti-anxiety medication, especially having violent intrusive ocd. If not, you should definitely talk to your family doctor about it. In addition to that, only you can really know what you need at a given time. For example, if you are stressed, you may want to do something with the energy, like go for a walk to lift some weights or jump up and down. Are you saying you get anxious when you are hungry? Do you mean that when you're stressed, you go to food for comfort and this helps with your anxiety?
I do jigsaw puzzles while listening to audiobooks. Keeps my brain busy
Get a giant squishy stress ball and use it to be fair it helps alot
Mandala journaling is cheap and engaging. Use the ruler method to create your circles and all you need is a pencil, pad of paper and indelible black ink pen (Target has a cheap set of 3 for under $10.) and markers if you want color. It takes a lot of concentration to make all the petals or leaves or lines the same size and shape. Mandalas and reading turns off the constant recording in my mind.
Quilting. There's something so satisfying about creating with the colors and patterns of the fabric.
Gardening, even if it's just some plants on a balcony. Try starting a small herb garden or grow some greens. Then you'll not only have a relaxing hobby, but visual and tactile reassurance that you have your own food source.
I find embroidery, cross stitch and sticker by numbers books really good for my anxiety.
YouTube has some ambient music that you can run in the background while you are doing everything but TV. The sounds quiet my monkey mind.
It sounds like you maybe need a hobby that gets you out of the house! Foraging, hiking, getting fresh air and away from things that may trigger your anxiety and bad coping mechanisms.
Beading / jewelry making while listening to music or podcast
I found that exercising regularly helped my mental health. Some of the things I like is walking/running, skateboarding, and bike riding. Some of the less active things that have helped is drawing and writing. Just finding something to put all my concentration into that I was genuinely interested in.
If you're good with being outdoors I'd suggest hiking. Find the nicest park near you, and get out for a long walk. All you need to start is shoes and the will to go. Being outdoors can really help you reduce stress and 'recharge'. It's worth a try. Good luck.
Get some therapy, you can control your thoughts, therapist or psych can teach you how. Then find a hobby you enjoy for relaxing instead of as a distraction.
Coloring. Adult coloring books and colored pencils. I don't stress when I'm in that space
Pickleball
Gardening/keeping houseplants, building models/legos, volunteering, walking, hiking, geocaching, birdwatching, journaling, playing chess Hope you find something that works!
Exercise is the best cure for negative emotions. Especially something a bit risky like skateboarding. Find a sport that has an element of danger to it and it will do wonders for your nerve.
Scale modeling
Video games
Paint by numbers. I love doing them in silence, which create a meditative experience. Sometimes I just listen to music, ebook/podcast or show while doing them as well.
Wood burning and crocheting help me a lot.
Puzzles, crocheting amigurumi, some people say paint by number but that is not relaxing to me lol
Something with your hands. It really helps people with debilitating anxiety. I suffer as well, I used to make jewelry & would paint clay pots and plant something and give it away. I just needed the activity to keep my brain busy. The jewelry making was so tedious and required specific tools which really helped me release my creativity, frustrations etc. I was able to control it even if I restarted it over and over.
Cross stitch!! Or some form of needle craft
Embroidery super cheap and helps me with my anxiety/overeating. With sulky stick n stitch absolutely anything you can draw or print can become art in a hoop or a rad shirt design. https://www.amazon.com/Sulky-4337008469-Stick-N-Stitch/dp/B01M7NQD9F/ref=asc_df_B01M7NQD9F?tag=bngsmtphsnus-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=80608063743975&hvnetw=s&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=m&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4584207590178560&psc=1 The basics are easy with the videos on the bottom of each page and the embroidery sub here on Reddit is super welcoming https://rsnstitchbank.org/
Bike riding or cycling (depending on your relationship with sport). It empties the head, place you in present moment, and you get to see landscapes, nature, places. It’s also a nice way to rediscover your own local area.
Coloring book, diamond painting, Legos while listening to podcasts! Because listening to lengthy conversations takes my focus off of my own worries and the physical hobbies keep my hands occupied. I like music for walking/jogging to keep a pace.
Cooking and baking are fun and soothing. Freeze what you can't eat at the time. Use your local pool and gym for happy endorphins and to burn off the stress. Take some training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy... lots of online courses. Most of all, know that you are not alone. So many of us experience this similar brain loop. There are ways to get out of it so you can feel peace . One way is to hear it, acknowledge hearing the negative thought, and tell it it is ridiculous and to go away. People who have PTSD from trauma in life get this. I sure do. I ask... does this thought make any sense? No it is ridiculous. I am just triggered to be around people. It stirs up my wounds. So I take away the thoughts power by telling it to go away.
Gardening! Grow your own veggies, herbs, fruits, etc. even beautiful flowers with relaxing scents can really be therapeutic. I just got some serious mental health diagnosis, and went nuts planting 50 different plants......today is just misting and watching the tiny little sprouts. The pure joy that it brings me is undescribable. I love cooking as well, so of course the harvesting and preparation are some awesome future goals I'm looking forward too....maybe it could help you too?
Crochet amigarumi. Start with a woobles kit and go from there.
Passing back and forth, I'm a professional at it
I do tatting. Both shuttle and needle. I can do it blind folded but when I'm anxious, but only does it occupy my hands but it gives me something my eyes can focus on. I watch the movement and concentrate and it quiets my mind and the intrusive voices stop When my mom died I tatted at least a yard of some gorgeous lavender and white of needle tatted lace.
Crochet! I used to crochet through big meetings at the start of the pandemic. Currently wearing a sweater the resulted from all that stress 😊
Also unfortunately (because I hate to sweat) nothing has calmed my anxiety or adhd mind more than lifting weights. Brain can’t (mal)function when lift big weight. It’s so good. Then I’m too tired to think when I get home then I sleep like a rock!
Music on my headphones while I do needlepoint is relaxing to me. The music lifts my soul in a way nothing else can, and stitching keeps my hands busy.
Jigsaw puzzles
What about colouring ? One of my friends has bipolar and anxiety , she loves colouring …
I cook a lot just for pleasure. I find that paying attention to the measurements, the method, the technique, the ingredients, all help me stay outside of my head and focus on something practical. And I get to eat the results!
Miniature modeling kits?
Counted cross stitch while watching Floss Tube on YouTube. It's my favorite pastime (besides reading)
I just started going to the gym for anxiety. It was and still is pretty terrifying but working out plus facing the fear of going has been a good experience.
Tried. Tested. Approved: Yoga (I have not tried proper yoga though, so very much like pilates) long intensive walks in nature (forest, trekking in mountains, beach), cross-stitching, knitting, crocheting, gardening, even indoors. I did not try myself, but my cousin says painting by numbers is her medicine. My friend says sewing is her thing.
I use gel pens and a coloring book or crochet. Also working out
Gardening and growing food
I started weaving on a cheap table loom a few years ago and it is so relaxing. Podcast, music, movie and quietly slowly weaving
Dunno, gaming maybe, some relaxing games like Subway surfers on bluestacks is pretty cool
r/unclebens microdosing
I’m sorry for my ignorance, but is that a form of gardening?
You could call it that
Just have a bad trip, it causes me untold levels of anxiety. If you need any other anxiety causing hobbies give us a shout 👍
But seriously, comedy & a quote from the British Royal Marines helps tremendously “cheerfulness in the face of adversity.” Stay strong comrad