You and I both know that it can get extremely difficult to maintain a positive life and outlook in our everyday lives.
But that doesn’t mean it is impossible to still be a more positive person!
Positivity is one of the most important things that we need in the world–especially in today’s society. We tend to be more attracted to more positive energies and people, so why not become that ourselves?
There are so many hobbies that we can take advantage of in hard times to overcome negative feelings.
Know the Hobbies for a Positive Life
Here are 4 of my personal favorite and most effective hobbies that promote positive and healthy living:
1. Hiking
Hiking has been one of the best hobbies I have taken up for several reasons. It keeps me in shape, relieves stress by inspires me to focus on the small things in life and also pushes me to dedicate my attention to only the destination ahead of me.
As a lazy introvert, I was never a fan of a hardcore work out in the gym. Hiking gets me in a great physical and mental shape without the stress of being around others and the anxiety of wanting quick results fast.
You’re so distracted by how beautiful the nature is and just trying to get to your destination that you end up snacking less, thinking less and living in the moment more.
2. Cooking
Cooking is not for everyone–sometimes not even for myself–but there is such a warm feeling about cooking that when done right, it can produce so much satisfaction.
It doesn’t have to be a difficult meal to cook, but something as simple as slicing a banana and arranging it into a bowl of oatmeal is so wholesome.
Taking your time to make a meal and especially using foods that are good for your health is simple, but life changing. One of my favorite, simple and comforting meals to make is Ramen.
Or maybe if you don’t feel like cooking (especially when it comes to doing the dishes afterwards), you can watch others cook some of your favorite meals. I don’t know about you, but
I think watching cooking shows is so relaxing and also serves as a great way to induce creativity.
3. Writing or Reading
Personally, writing has been a great way for me to reflect, get inspired and ultimately de-stress after a hard week. Sometimes I practice calligraphy, so it also pushes me to keep my handwriting polished.
The tradition of writing is slowly disappearing into a technology-oriented society, but its beauty will never be outmatched.
I encourage you to practice writing, because it is also another scientifically-proven way to retain your memory or knowledge.
If you do not like to hand-write, there are plenty of resources to use online to express your creativity in words. Here are some of my personal preferences:
Note: These are NOT sponsored!
- Wattpad (the O.G. writing app for amazing stories)
- Google Docs (simple, easy to access with helpful templates)
- Evernote (Perfect for note-taking and collecting ideas)
But what if you don’t want to write OR type? This is where reading comes to the rescue.
Reading is a great way to achieve a state of flow.
When I read, it feels like there is a personal movie inside of my head.
And what’s even more exciting is that I can manipulate what’s being read into images that I want to see and take away messages that I can relate to my life.
Reading and writing will always be a staple in promoting positivity and especially productivity, all while gaining knowledge.
4. Stretching/Yoga – positive life
Stretching along with doing Yoga is one of the most useful hobbies/activities in living a more positive life.
Even as a college student, I have noticed a huge weight lifted off of my shoulders when taking the time to do a fully body stretch.
Here’s a few basic but very effective stretches:
- The Cobra
- Cat-Cow
- Child’s Pose
No matter how old or active you are, stretching can be a great solution for releasing stress that comes from stiff or tense muscles.
When paired with Yoga, there are magical things that happen (like mediation) that allow you to completely be in a state of peace with yourself and your surroundings.
You’d be surprised with how much more you can do physically and mentally when practicing this.
For the best results, I prefer stretching in the morning and night. I am a huge believer in starting your day on a positive note and ending on a positive note.
