Weekly Wednesday #6: Feeling Stressed? Try a New Hobby

Happy Wednesday!

This week, I want to talk about the unsung hero of relaxation: hobbies.

As adults, life can be stressful and a pain in the ass. At the end of a long day of dealing with bullshit, we need to recoup and recover to deal with it all again the next day.

So, what do most of us do? Watch TV, browse social media, smoke, drink, or indulge in something else.

Here's the thing: while it may seem like the obvious solution is to do the least amount of mental activity possible, the relity is quite counterintuitive. What relaxes us the most is active relaxation.

What exactly is active relaxation, and why is it beneficial? It's a process that provides us with an active outlet for our energy and creativity rather than just allowing our minds to idle without purpose.

Think of it this way: if you had a stressful day at work, scrolling through social media and watching TV isn't engaging your brain, which makes it easy for the stress to come back with a vengeance.

By actively using your brain with a hobby, you're utilizing more energy, making it more difficult for that stress to pierce through.

You might think, "Yeah, but I'm still doing something that uses energy! How could that be giving me more energy!?" Well, that's why I used the word counterintuitive earlier; I was ready for that question!

Here's the thing: Using energy toward something you enjoy gives you more energy because it activates positive emotions and a sense of fulfillment, which can invigorate and motivate you, creating a cycle of engagement and enthusiasm.

At its peak, you achieve a state of 'flow,' a profoundly engaging experience common in activities that captivate you. In these moments, you become so absorbed in the task that you lose track of time, allowing your creativity and energy to soar.

This state not only boosts your mood but also enhances your energy levels and reduces feelings of stress. When you choose an active hobby, whether painting, playing an instrument, or even a sport, you often enter this flow state, leading to profound relaxation and an energetic reset.

Additionally, positive emotions stimulate the release of endorphins and other feel-good chemicals in the brain, enhancing mood, increasing vitality, and promoting a sense of well-being, leading to higher energy levels.

Simply put, think of it like a car: When it runs low on gas, it won't refuel itself by just sitting there. Similarly, our minds and bodies can't recharge from passive inactivity.

Hobbies act like fuel—they actively inject energy into us, making us feel better and run smoother.

So find a hobby, actively engage in it, and don't worry about the results. You'll be distracted from the bullshit of your life in the best way possible.

See you next Wednesday,

Andrew