Hello dear friends,
I hope you are having a good week and you feel satisfied with that effort you have put towards getting closer to your dreams.
I was having a conversation with some people this week and we were discussing organisational values and how the people who work within organisations eventually embody them if they are taught well.
Imagine your life is your organisation, what values will you be promoting and do you actually embody them? How long after meeting you, will your values come through?
I have been reflecting on some of my unhelpful behaviours and we all have them. They hold back our growth and negatively impact our mental health.
Being aware of our own role in our reality is an important part of taking responsibility and showing ourselves compassion, because only then can we take the action required for us to move forward. We talked about escapism and how it limits our progress here.
Last week, I wrote about digital behaviours and how we can make the best use of it: taking breaks from our gadgets—digital detox.
Have a read of these blog posts and share with people who you think will benefit from some guidance in this regard.
We all use escapism even though we don’t need to. We use it as a last ditch effort especially when we lack the skills needed to communicate our emotional needs. Instead of escaping, like a jailed bird, let’s fly free into active preemptive communication and intentional selfcare.
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, stressed, or burnt out in our busy lives. The key is to find healthy, constructive outlets that help us unwind and contribute to our overall well-being.
Engaging in hobbies and activities that nourish the mind, body, and soul can be a powerful form of self-care. In this blog post, we’ll explore the concept of healthy coping and highlight a range of constructive hobbies and activities that can support your self-care journey.
Healthy escapes allow us to take a break from the demands of life while also fostering personal growth, creativity, and relaxation.
Unlike unhealthy forms of escapism, which may involve overindulging in habits like excessive screen time, overeating, or substance use, healthy escapes are positive, intentional, and enriching. They provide a space to recharge, reflect, and reconnect with ourselves.
Engaging in constructive hobbies and activities can:
- Reduce Stress: They provide a mental break from stressors, helping to lower cortisol levels and improve mood.
- Enhance Mental Clarity: Engaging in hobbies that require focus and creativity can clear the mind and boost cognitive function.
- Promote Physical Health: Many active hobbies also have physical benefits, improving fitness and overall well-being.
- Boost Self-Esteem: Learning new skills or creating something tangible can enhance self-confidence and a sense of accomplishment, giving you that much sought after dopamine boost.
- Foster Social Connections: Group activities or shared hobbies can strengthen social bonds, combat feelings of loneliness plus expose you to some cool people.
Exploring Constructive Hobbies and Activities
1. Creative Arts and Crafts
- Drawing, Painting, or Sculpting: Expressing yourself through visual arts can be incredibly therapeutic. Whether you’re an experienced artist or a beginner, the process of creating something beautiful or meaningful can be a profound way to relax and process emotions.
- Crafting and DIY Projects: Crafting, such as knitting, sewing, or woodworking, allows you to engage your hands and mind in a calming and productive way. Plus, you’ll have a tangible creation to show for your efforts. This year I gifted my friend a visible mending class and it was such a beautiful day out working with our hands.
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2. Physical Activities
- Fitness and Meditation: Fitness combines physical movement with mindfulness, promoting both mental and physical well-being. Meditation, whether on its own or as part of an activity, helps to calm the mind and reduce stress.
- Walking or Hiking: Spending time in nature is a powerful way to disconnect from technology and reconnect with yourself. Walking or hiking in natural settings provides both physical exercise and mental relaxation.
3. Gardening
- Planting and Tending to a Garden: Gardening is a wonderful way to engage with nature, practice patience, and enjoy the rewards of nurturing living things. Whether you have a large backyard or a small indoor plant collection, gardening can be a soothing and fulfilling hobby. It is the one govbby that combines outdoor living with fitness and mindfulness.
4. Reading and Writing
- Reading for Pleasure: Getting lost in a good book is a healthy escape that stimulates the mind and offers a break from reality. Whether you prefer fiction, non-fiction, or poetry, reading can transport you to different worlds and broaden your perspective,helping your brain develop to its full potential.
- Journaling or Creative Writing: Writing is a powerful tool for self-expression and reflection. Journaling allows you to process thoughts and emotions, while creative writing offers an outlet for imagination and storytelling.
5. Cooking and Baking
- Exploring New Recipes: Cooking and baking can be both creative and meditative. Experimenting with new recipes or perfecting your favourite dishes allows you to focus on the present moment and enjoy the sensory pleasures of preparing and savouring food.
- Mindful Eating: Preparing and enjoying a meal mindfully—savouring each bite, appreciating the flavours, and being fully present—can turn a routine activity into a nourishing self-care ritual. Invite some friends over and get on with it.
6. Music and Dance
- Playing a Musical Instrument: Whether you’re learning a new instrument or playing one you’re already familiar with, making music can be a deeply rewarding and immersive experience.
- Dancing: Dancing, whether alone in your living room or in a class, is a joyful way to express yourself, get moving, and release endorphins. It’s a fun and free way to connect with your body.
7. Mindful Technology Use
- Photography: Photography encourages you to look at the world from new perspectives. It’s a creative outlet that also allows you to capture and appreciate the beauty around you.
- Mindful Tech Breaks: While technology can be a source of stress, it can also offer healthy escapes if used mindfully. Engaging in guided meditation apps, digital art, or even listening to podcasts/audiobooks can be constructive ways to unwind.
Integrating Healthy Habits into Your Routine
Incorporating healthy escapes into your daily life doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are a few tips to help you make time for self-care through constructive hobbies and activities:
- Schedule Regular “Me Time”: Dedicate specific times during the week for your chosen hobbies or activities. Treat this time as non-negotiable and essential for your well-being. Having others involved helps with being accountable, find a group of people with similar interests.
- Start Small: If you’re new to a hobby or activity, start with small, manageable goals. Gradually build up your skills and time commitment as you become more comfortable and confident.
- Listen to Your Body and Mind: Pay attention to what activities make you feel refreshed and recharged. Your interests and needs may change over time, so be flexible and willing to explore new hobbies.
- Combine Social and Solo Activities: Balance activities that you do alone with those that involve others. This way, you can enjoy both introspective time and social connections.
- Link your hobbies with existing structures in your day. Say a workout can be linked to your wake-up time or lunch time. Meditation can be linked to your bedtime.
Steven Barlett often talks about his discipline equation, he says that for us to achieve anything, we have to recognise our “why” and then remove all the friction that would make it difficult for us to achieve that goal.
Healthy habits are a vital part of self-care, offering a constructive way to manage stress, nurture creativity, and foster overall well-being.
By exploring and engaging in hobbies and activities that bring you joy and fulfilment, you can create a balanced and enriching life. Whether it’s through art, nature, physical movement, or mindful practices, there’s a healthy habit out there for everyone.
Remember, self-care is not a luxury; it’s the things you need to do so you can function at a high level and deliver your assignment on earth.
Take the time to discover what activities nourish your soul and make them a regular part of your life. Your mental, emotional, and physical health will thank you for it.
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What are your favourite healthy habits? How do you incorporate them into your self-care routine? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below. Let’s inspire each other to find and enjoy more constructive ways to recharge!
Until next time, stay authentic,
Stay resilient, and continue to honour your needs.
Live wholeheartedly,
Amaka
2 Cor 3:2(MSG)
You yourselves are all the endorsement we need. Your very lives are a letter that anyone can read by just looking at you. Christ himself wrote it—not with ink, but with God’s living Spirit; not chiseled into stone, but carved into human lives—and we publish it.
