Activities to keep me busy

[AutumnLemon]

Does anyone have some ideas of some activities I can do for a period of about four weeks to keep my mind and body busy during downtime? I'm undergoing a period of anxiety (thankfully with a defined end point!), and I want some activities to keep me from getting lost in "what ifs".

Things I have so far:

• Defrosting the freezer (exciting)
• Gardening
• Going for a run

Things that don't keep my mind "busy" enough:

• Podcasts/audiobooks (though good for helping met get to sleep when anxious)
• Housework
• Puzzles
• Reading

Mostly I end up scrolling on social media and it's not really helpful.

Have a think, in 4 weeks time I would like to be better at......
Or have had a go at...........

E.g. knitting, drawing, playing the guitar, baking gateaus, cooking curry, recover the cushions, headstands, chopping wood, creative writing.

Or do a self study on I don't know Africa, the Egyptians, identifying tree species.

knitting or crochet is like finger yoga and easy to learn if you can’t already.

I hope you feel better soon.

Learn a language on duolingo
Learn a craft or get a small kit... lego, airfix, paint by numbers, diamond painting etc

Try to do a set number of steps per day or week?

Walking with a good audio book or podcast is good for my mental health

Thank you, some lovely ideas here.

I've always been terrible at anything crafty or artistic. I do enjoy baking, but I find when I'm properly anxious I make stupid mistakes, burn myself, forget to add sugar, that sort of thing!

I do play piano, so mastering a new piece might be an idea.

Can you go round the house and make a list of things similar to defrosting the freezer? ie. all those one off jobs that aren’t day to day housework, and then do at least one a day.

I'm not arty, but I enjoy diamond art or paint by numbers. The range has lots of choices

I'd start to learn a language. Duolingo is great for this.
I also find it a great distraction to go out and about and look at stuff. I had a period when I visited all the old churches in the area. Really fascinating history in each church. Or visit a local stately home? Or get a train to a nearby town and potter around, visiting the places of interest.
Do some Autumn gardening? Now's a good time to plant perennials for next year.
These are all things that relax and distract me.

Sorting your stuff out. Going into cupboards and boxes and having a good sort out. I felt much better and less anxious having done this for some reason

@SallyWD

That's a good idea - being a tourist in your local area. Obviously it depends on budget but there are free things such as museums and art galleries, or guided walks either with a volunteer guide or you can download an audio guide. Eventbrite is quite good if you are looking for local activities.

People watching. TV shows.
Exposing yourself to solitude in public. It can reduce the anxiety. You will realise it's just a feeling and it will end eventually.

Visit local museums
Look out for any concerts or interesting talks locally
Find out what daytime activities are on locally - local history or something like that?
Short term volunteering opportunities?