15 of the best hobbies for Self-Care

Need to hit the reset button? There’s no better place that to start with some self-care to really get your wellbeing in check.

It’s important to make self-care a regular part of your routine to deal with stress and keep burnout at bay. After all, we all experience stress differently, and need ways to release and ease this stress regularly.

What if you could double-up on self-care and make it a hobby that you find soothing? We’ve put together 15 hobbies to start for self-care that’ll keep you motivated and calm. Pick as many as you’d like (though don’t overwhelm yourself!). Just remember that it’s okay to switch things up and try new things if you fancy a change of pace.

Why have a self-care hobby? (H2) 

Self-care is essential for our wellbeing. Instead of viewing it as a chore or something you ‘should do’ or ‘need to do’, it can be reframed and applied to activities we enjoy. That’s why self-care hobbies are perfect, as they’re good for you and fulfil a personal interest. Self-care hobbies can ultimately help with:

• Stress relief

• Relaxation

• Self-exploration

• Self-compassion

• Enhancing self-esteem

• Increasing social connection

• Increasing happiness levels

• Personal growth and development.

Best 15 self-care activities and hobbies to try (H2) 

Self-care hobbies around the home As the old saying goes; “a clear space is a clear mind”. If you find your immediate environment is increasing your stress levels, here are some self-care ideas you can do around the home to improve your wellbeing.

1. Play soothing music in your home.

While silence can be golden, having a calm ambience can help your creativity flow and create a sense of serenity. Discover new music and try to recreate the vibe of a place you find calming such as a coffee shop or restaurant.

2. Regularly trying a new recipe.

Whether that’s once a week or once a month, trying new recipes is a great way to switch up your routine and learn something new. We’ve got some incredibly yummy (and easy!) recipes that have been put together by nutritionists available on the Wisdom app.

3. Declutter.

Though this may not be a traditional hobby, it happens to be a rather soothing activity. Did you know that decluttering videos are incredibly soothing to watch? The hashtag #declutter on TikTok has over 264.2k posts!

4. Practice DIY.

A DIY skill can not only help you save a few pounds, but it can open up a new avenue of creative, tinkering fun. Whether it’s DIYing your own infused cooking oils, painting your home or upcycling furniture, it’s a great way to engage the brain and get creative.

5. Growing and maintaining house plants.

Seeing the fruits of your labour can be incredibly rewarding. And if you’re worried you’ll forget to keep a plant alive then fear not, succulents can be a great addition to your home and are considered low maintenance plants! Just be sure to do your research before placing plants in your home – as some can be toxic to any pets you may have.

Self-care hobbies for inner peace and mind

Repetitive movements and problem-solving can enhance inner peace and calm. Here are some self-care hobbies to induce these states.

1. Crafting.

Busying the hands can help us reduce our social media usage – which is all too common after a long day. Crafting also has various mental health benefits, and you don’t even need to be an expert. You could try:

• Crochet

• Scrapbooking

• Embroidery

• Punch needling

• Origami

2. Card making

Yoga. We get it. The ‘have you tried yoga?’ trope can be quite annoying, but there really is a reason yoga is recommended so often. It’s fantastic for centring your mind, stretching your body, assisting with posture and flexibility. Plus, you don’t even need to invest in classes – you can use our app to access tons of yoga videos!

3.Puzzles.

Working on puzzles is great for the mind and can really help break out of the monotony of a work-eat-sleep-repeat routine. You don’t necessarily have to get jigsaw puzzles (unless that’s your vibe) – you could try:

• Sudoku

• Crosswords

• Riddle-solving

• Chess

• Challenging video games (yes, they can be self-care too in moderation!)

4. Bullet journalling.

Bullet journalling is a really fun and personalised way to keep track of your schedule, goals, and enables you to log things of interest such as recipes, travel bucket list and almost anything your mind can think of. There are thousands of tutorials online – ranging from maximalist colourful designs to more minimal ones that may be easier for those just starting out.

5. Air-dry clay modelling.

This can be a really engaging way to add small and fun ornaments around the home – it also works great as a friends and family activity (the kids will love it). It’s a budget-friendly alternative to real clay and you won’t need a kiln either!

Self-care hobbies for physical wellbeing

Moving your body literally releases endorphins – the feel-good hormone. So, if you want to feel good and have fun while you’re at it, here are some fun self-care hobbies for physical wellness.

1. Dancing.

Sometimes having a good ol’ boogie is what we need. Pop your favourite tunes on and shake it off. Whether that be alone or with friends, having dance couples as a great cardio routine and is a great way to express yourself. Fancy learning those cool routines you see in music videos? See if there’s a local dance class that offers classes.

2. Hiking.

Being in nature is great for your mental health and it’s been proven time and time again. Hiking is a great workout that couples as a great exploration activity. Start off with easy and quick routes, then slowly work your way up to more challenging ones when you feel able. End the hike with a filling lunch for that extra reward factor.

3. Pilates.

Pilates is fantastic for building core strength which is integral to keeping our bodies fit and healthy. Plus, it can be done for free using online workouts, and it involves no equipment. It’s a bit more intense than yoga, which makes it a great pairing as a yoga routine can follow on as a cool down activity.

4. Rock climbing.

If you like the idea of problem solving and fitness, then rock climbing may be for you. It’s a great cardio and strength activity that works muscles you probably didn’t even know you had, and it challenges you to try different approaches to routes you may find challenging. As with anything, in time, you’ll find completing routes much easier as you build strength and mobility.

5. Roller skating.

Having made a comeback since pandemic days, roller skating has stuck around, and for good reason. It’s a thrilling activity for the inner child, and has a surprising amount of health benefits. If you fancy a fun, thrilling activity that doubles as a workout, get a group of friends together and roll around in a rink near you.

How to uncover the best hobby for you

It’s all good and well having a list of ideas, but how can they benefit you, and how do you choose the right self-care hobbies?

You can only find the answer by trying. As they say – throw everything at a wall and see what sticks! You may surprise yourself and discover a self-care hobby you like that originally didn’t sound like a great idea.

It’s important to pace yourself when finding a self-care hobby that suits your lifestyle. Try not to overwhelm yourself and don’t be afraid to drop one of the ideas if they simply aren’t clicking. It’s not a one-size-fits-all activity!

How an Employee Assistance Programme can help 

If you’re feeling stressed and struggling to overcome it alone, a counsellor from HA | Wisdom Wellbeing can help. Our counsellors are available 24/7, 365 days a year and can help you with goal setting, connecting with how you feel and guide you towards solutions that fit your individual needs. Plus, our wellbeing app Wisdom is perfect for tracking your wellbeing. Our unique mood tracker can help you log your mood, and gives you transparency on how your mood is tracking over time. This can be a great way to see how self-care hobbies are going for you!

Conclusion

Self-care hobbies should never feel like a chore. Allow yourself time to try new things and see what sticks. You may surprise yourself and find multiple hobbies that fit with your lifestyle. If you’re struggling to find one that works for you, try adjusting the frequency of the self-care hobby routine, or get friends and family involved to make it a group activity. This can also help you stay accountable in getting the self-care you need during stressful times.