8 Mindful Hobbies to Do Instead of Screen Time

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Endless scrolling may be a temporary distraction from the stressors of the day, but it can leave you feeling more anxious and interfere with your sleep and rest schedule. Taking breaks and engaging in mindful hobbies refresh your body and mind. Next time you think about wasting time scrolling, try one of these eight activities that can help you unwind and reawaken your passions.

Meditating and Yoga

Take a deep breath and unwind with yoga and meditation. These practices help quiet the mind, relax the body, reduce anxiety and promote inner peace.

To meditate, you don’t need any special equipment. Designate a quiet spot where you can focus on breathing to release tension and clear your mind.

On the other hand, yoga combines specific postures with deep breathing and may take a bit of time to master. Begin with simple poses and gradually progress as you become more comfortable. You can practice at home or enroll in a yoga studio near you. Just a few minutes a day can make a big difference. 

Getting Moving

Exercise improves physical health and boosts mental wellness. Brisk walking for only 10 minutes has been found to raise one’s mood, increase energy levels and enhance mental alertness. So, stretch, pick up the dumbbells and start working out.

You don’t have to do structured workouts — anything that gets you moving is a form of exercise. Walk around the block, run up and down the stairs, swim, start biking, or go jogging. If you’re adventurous, plan a trip to a local obstacle course or try rock climbing. Take your family along or ask your friends to join you in hiking, kayaking, canoeing, whitewater rafting or jam skating.

Whether it’s a morning run or a Zumba dance class, moving your body will leave you feeling refreshed and revitalized. Consider purchasing a membership at a local gym or find a workout buddy to keep you motivated if you choose to exercise at home.

Gardening

Immerse yourself in nature and nurture your creativity with gardening. The act of planting, tending to and watching plants grow is incredibly therapeutic. Plus, there’s the bonus of enjoying fresh herbs, vegetables and fruits or having a beautiful flower garden.

If you’re a beginner, try low-maintenance plant and flower varieties. With some research, consultation and effort, you’ll be a gardening whiz. You don’t need a sprawling backyard to try gardening — a tiny balcony or your indoors will do just fine. You only need a couple of beautiful planters and pots to hold the plants.

Polymer Clay Crafting

Working with polymer clay is a fantastic way to relax and let your imagination run amok. As you mold and shape the clay, your mind will calm down and your focus will sharpen.

To indulge in this artsy pastime, you only need some basic tools and a few blocks of polymer clay. Familiarize yourself with the various techniques, set up a workspace and begin practicing. Remember to wear latex gloves, work on cooled clay or dust the material with cornstarch to avoid leaving fingerprints on finished products.

This versatile material allows you to create an array of jewelry, figurines, decorative items and more. It’s easy to learn, forgiving for beginners and comes in diverse colors and textures. You can decorate your home, gift your creations to family, friends and colleagues as handmade keepsakes, or set up shop and sell them to earn an income from your pastime.

Cooking or Baking

Baking and cooking can be very mindful and rewarding. The act of measuring and mixing to create something delicious is very satisfying. Cooking for others also lets you share your culinary inventions to show you care about them.

Invest in a cookbook or ask friends and family for recipe ideas you can try at home. First timers should start small, follow instructions and use kitchen equipment properly. If you’re more experienced in the kitchen, challenge yourself by experimenting with unfamiliar recipes and different cooking or baking methods.

Indulging in Books

Go old school and pick up a book to give your eyes a break from screens. Explore different genres and authors to find what you enjoy the most, and then allocate a time slot each day for reading.

Doing so expands your knowledge, stimulates your imagination and — best of all — offers a retreat from the screen. Thanks to technology, you can now combine book time with another mindful activity like gardening or cooking.

Visiting local bookstores and libraries will expose you to new reads. Consider joining a book club to add a social element to your new hobby. There are even numerous places you can download ebooks for free — just put on one and listen.

Playing Brain Games and Puzzles

Have some fun and challenge your mind by playing a game. Crosswords, Jenga, Sudoku, Monopoly and jigsaw puzzles keep the brain sharp, improve memory and cultivate a sense of accomplishment upon completion.

The best thing about games is they offer you the choice between spending time alone or socializing with others. It will be at least a few minutes before you return to scrolling on your phone or browsing the web.

Taking a Class for Fun

Learn something new and meet like-minded people by joining a random class. This is the perfect opportunity to try out that thing you’ve kept on the back burner. Whether it’s pottery, mastering a new language or painting, there’s a class out there waiting for you to sign up.

Make it a bit challenging by doing something you’ve never considered doing. Begin photography classes, dance lessons or the ancient art of calligraphy. The key is to find something that interests you and give it a try.

Embrace Mindful Hobbies for a Balanced Life

Taking breaks from screens and engaging in mindful hobbies can greatly improve your well-being. With so much going on in the world today, getting off the internet to bake something or go on a walk is a breath of fresh air for the mind. Make time for these activities and enjoy the positive changes they can bring to your life.