Navigating Difficult Emotions

For some folks, late autumn and winter months can be a time where difficult emotions come to the surface. Whether due to Seasonal Affective Disorder (commonly referred to as seasonal depression), or to other circumstances, taking part in your hobbies (or starting a new one) might aid in relieving the sense of heaviness you might be feeling.

In general, hobbies can be fun to practice in our spare time. However, research suggests that regularly participating in hobbies can have a positive impact on one’s mental health. According to research conducted in 2023, engaging with hobbies, particularly those that involve creativity, sensory engagement, self-expression, and cognitive stimulation, can be linked to good mental health. While the study was observational, the researchers say that engaging with hobbies can also help to diminish feelings of loneliness and isolation. *

As you look for avenues through which to feel more at peace, here are some hobbies you might want to explore:

Journaling

Journaling can take on many forms. No matter how you choose to engage with it, taking the time to write out your thoughts and feelings can certainly help you to process your emotions, or to keep a record of important memories and events. Whether you prefer writing in a plain notebook, using a bullet journal, or typing your thoughts into a word document, journaling can be a beneficial way to make sense of what you are feeling.

Reading

Reading is an excellent way to take your mind off things and explore other characters and worlds. Take a trip to the library, or dust off an old favorite from your shelf. Reading can help to soothe the mind and is a wonderful hobby to rest within.

Painting & Drawing

Painting, drawing, and other forms of artistry are wonderful pursuits inside which you can express how you are feeling. You might prefer nature sketching or realistic watercolor painting, or perhaps you love to work in abstract art. Keep your creative juices flowing as you express yourself on paper or canvas.

Gardening

Do you enjoy gardening? Being out in nature can be stress relieving on its own. Taking part in the process of planting and growing can be soothing, too! Even if you don’t have access to a large gardening area, you can enjoy potted plants or a small, raised bed. Digging in the dirt, nurturing your plants, and seeing them thrive is a meaningful process to partake in.

All of these hobbies provide excellent pathways toward relieving some of the feelings of depression or sadness you might be experiencing. Many of them could also be experienced in a group or club setting, which can help to alleviate feelings of isolation and loneliness.

It’s okay to have heavy feelings, and it’s okay to talk about them. Engaging with your hobbies can give you a new outlet through which to process how you are feeling, as well as an opportunity to enjoy your hobbies alongside friends.

*Sources:

https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/having-a-hobby-tied-to-happiness-and-well-being