The world has become too busy. Sometimes, you just want to take a step back and relax your mind and body. The Japanese have something called Zen. Its literal meaning is meditation. In recent years it has become a buzzword with people relating it to a sort of state of relaxation.
If you’re feeling like the world is moving too fast and you want to take a break but don’t want to meditate, here are a few hobbies that will give you that Zen feeling.
Gardening
According to Gardening Know-How, the Japanese also have a Zen garden. It’s a rock garden that has carefully raked sands or rocks and meticulously maintained shrubs. It’s a place where one can meditate peacefully.
But you don’t need a Zen garden to relax. The truth is, the act of gardening – planting anything really, can be therapeutic. According to Healthline, gardening can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. It can lower stress levels.
Gardening can also lower one’s BMI. Plus, if you plant a vegetable garden, you’ll also have access to fresh and healthy produce.
You don’t even need a big outdoor space to garden. Here’s the Spruce with a helpful guide on how to start an indoor hydroponics garden.
Crafts
Speaking of art, if photography is not your thing, you can try doing crafts. There’s something about creating beautiful things that raise the spirit. Plus, according to Psychology Today, working with your hands is a highly effective way of relieving stress.
The article also goes on to describe the phenomenon called Breakout Principle where if a person is doing a repetitive task, and the mind is not engaged with that activity, people can have breakthrough ideas.
It doesn’t matter if you’re making greeting cards, building birdhouses, or any number of crafts, as long as you’re creating something, you can see its benefits.
What are you waiting for? Break out your glue gun and triangle ruler and start working on a craft project.
Photography
Whether you’re taking long walks in the city, hiking in lush woods, or just staying at home, you can always find something to photograph. You don’t even need an expensive camera.
Smartphone cameras have gone a long way, and they can now take beautiful pictures. Here’s 500 PX with Sony’s top 20 smartphone photos of 2020 for some inspiration.
The best thing about photography is that it can also be used to lift you when you’re feeling down. According to Contrastly, the process itself of carrying the camera and taking pictures can calm a person down.
One reason photography is useful here is its ability to express how a person feels. It’s an art form that can relax. And it’s one that you can do wherever you are.
There are a lot of other things you can try to achieve that Zen feeling. These three are just to get you started. Find out the one that resonates the most with you and your interests and do it.
If you want more ideas, here’s Bustle with a stress-reducing list of their own. Enjoy!
I’m a Gramma to a beautiful, funny, smart little girl who was born in July of 2014. She’s the joy of my family and I’m so very proud to be a gramma (an alternate spelling for grandma)! I am a coffee, music, movie and outdoor lover! My family and I love picnics, festivals and concerts. Spending time with my family is the best part of my life. I love my job as well! Blogging and product reviewing has given my family and I a lot and I have also learned a lot and made a lot of friends.
