This year has been tough for everyone. Who knew, when we went into the first lockdown in March that we would be in practically the same situation almost ten months later. CoVid-19 has affected the lives of everyone indiscriminately across the world. In addition to the effects of the coronavirus itself, as the pandemic swept across the globe, it has had serious repercussions on people’s mental health. It has induced a significant amount of anxiety, fear, concern, and apprehension amongst the global population at large. Mental health issues have risen as the psychological impact has elevated rates of stress or anxiety.
The safety measures that have been enforced – especially quarantine and social distancing – have had an inordinate impact on many people’s usual life activities, their routines, livelihoods, their friends and family, everything has changed. With levels of loneliness increasing drastically, alcohol and drug abuse, depression, and suicidal or self-harm behavior have also risen.
Picking up a creative hobby when the going gets tough is a great way to relax and distract your mind from all the negativity around us. A hobby helps keep your thoughts on the positive act of creation rather than the stress and worry that otherwise occupies it. There are scores of creative pursuits you can pick up while isolating. Here are some creative hobby ideas that people have adopted to help get them through these unprecedented times.
1. Woodworking:
Mathew* had always been fascinated with woodworking. Being at home alone all day every day had him climbing up the walls. He decided to focus his energy on making a dollhouse for his niece. The project kicked his DIY hobby into high gear. He found that woodworking was an intense activity that kept his mind occupied. All he needed was some tools that he could easily buy from tool digest online. This hobby allows him to keep his mind and hands busy. He has made a table, some toys, a deckchair, and many other woodworking crafts so far. He has also joined some woodworking community groups online and he loves sharing his creations there.
2. Quilting:
Shelley* is a retired professional who lives alone. Because of her age and impaired health, she has been under a stricter lockdown than most. Her usual emotional and social outlets gone, she has found a creative outlet in quilting. The mental work required in quilting has become the most effective therapy for her to keep her mind sharp. But she feels that creating quilts for her family and loved ones have given her a purpose again. She says that every quilt she makes allows her to convey all the love and care that she wants to express.
3. Doing puzzles:
While working from home initially felt great for a few weeks but as the weeks turned into months, the depression hit Jamie* hard. One especially lonely day he decided to put a jigsaw puzzle together that had been lying around his place. He says that the puzzle really helped him get through the days and the sense of achievement he felt once he was done made him feel lighter and happier. He then added crossword puzzles to his routine. It got his brain focused on something besides his depressing thoughts.
4. Playing music:
Playing music requires a certain amount of skill, patience, and, in order for you to do justice to an instrument. Harry* signed up for online classes and says that every minute that he spent learning scales and arpeggios, understanding the sheet music and practicing, was a minute he didn’t waste worrying about his problems.
5. Learning a new language:
Ana* downloaded an app to learn French. She says that learning a new language helped her deal with her anxiety. It helped her feel as though this was something positive she was doing and making the most of the situation.
6. Filming your own YouTube tutorial videos:
While this may seem like a cliché idea, Sandy* claims that making makeup related tutorial videos on YouTube has made life much better. Sandy says she hadn’t been in a good place mentally to begin with and the pandemic situation only heightened it. She says that on the days she feels low, playing with makeup and filming it for YouTube is just what the doctor ordered. She said that it was fun and that via her channel she can express just about anything she wants to.
You don’t have to pick just one hobby. You could enjoy a little taste of everything:
Learning guitar, sewing, arts and craft, painting, etc. If you can’t find just one thing that you want to do, take it to step by step. Try a hobby on for size. Move on to another idea if the hobby doesn’t fit you. Do a few things simultaneously, anything to keep busy.
(*names have been changed to protect privacy)
