With our busy and hectic lifestyles, it is important that we make the time to relax and de-stress.

With so many different things going on in our lives, from work issues to family worries, it can be hard to find the time to relax, but it is vital that you do so. An excellent way to reduce your stress levels and calm your mind is to take on a stress relieving hobby.

To find out more about five hobbies to reduce your stress levels, have a read of this.

1. Gardening

Gardening is one of the best stress relievers – it’s fun, easy to do and it gets you out into the sunshine. You may not realise it, but just going outside into the sunlight can improve your mood and make you feel happier. Even though it’s currently a winter wonderland outside, bring the gardening inside and plant your favourite succulents.

Spending time working on a project that will make your garden look more beautiful is enriching and calming, and is great for reducing stress. Plus, spending time in a natural environment can help you to let go of the stresses of everyday life.

2. Photography

Whether you want to learn how to take a better picture of friends and family or you want to better understand the art of creating inspiring images. Photography can be an excellent hobby for reducing stress.

As you learn to see the world through the eyes of a photographer, you should begin to see things a little differently. The amazing thing about photography is that it opens your eyes to all the beauty around you, which  can help to calm your mind and change your mood.

3. Playing music

Playing music is one of the best ways to reduce your stress levels, as it is an incredibly calming and soothing activity.

To help keep your stress levels to a minimum, spend a few minutes each day practicing playing a musical instrument. You can practice anything, from the musical scale to an inspirational piece of music, whatever makes you feel happy.

While it doesn’t matter what instrument you play, a piano is a good choice, as it is calming and easy to learn. To get started all you will need are a few lessons, a piano from Markson Pianos and, of course, a music book.

4. Drawing

Drawing is an excellent hobby for relieving stress, as it allows you to connect with your creative side and use art to process your emotions.

Sitting down to draw once or twice a week is an amazing way to not only reduce your stress levels, but also to express how you are feeling. The end result should be a piece that is beautiful, inspirational and incredibly personal.

5. Meditation-base exercise

Meditation-based exercise like yoga, Tai-Chi, and Pilates, are all excellent for helping to reduce and manage your stress levels.

To help control your stress levels, spend half an hour each day practicing some form of meditation-based exercise. Make sure that you only do poses aimed to help reduce stress, as each pose has different benefits.

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