What hobbies of yours have benefited your mental health the most?

[Bearthewear]

I would say walking , always feel better after a walk.

Swimming, cross stitch, jigsaws, reading (especially outdoors), making lists, Pinterest!

Volunteering. I became a volunteer and feel it saved my life

Kittens and gardening, both have made me completely forget it all whilst I’ve been engaged with them. Only things that have.

Gardening
Being around horses
Walking the dogs
Playing a musical instrument

Running. It's saved me this year

Crochet for me.

I am not arty in the slightest but with some balls of yarn, I can make something glorious and it is such a mindful process. It’s relaxes me and makes me concentrate so work worries fade away.

Used to love running but buggered my knees so now I can’t run for a bus. That was fantastic for my mental health though, the most meditative I have ever felt was on a long run in the hills, just me, my breath and nature🥰

Used to be my horses but now its crochet and rollerskating 🤣 Oh and walking my dogs because they are so entertaining

Gardening (including serious digging and removing bastard Ivy roots)

Bird watching

Yoga

Reality TV

Gin

Hot bubble baths and getting into bed early with and electric blanket and a movie on the iPad.

Walking the dog

Pilates

Finally being at a happy and healthy weight and overhauling my diet for good health from here on in as I approach 40

Dogs, walking and dog walking.

Walking for me too.Ive walked 39 miles this week

Running - it's changed my life

Reading (you can pick a book to suit your mood)
Listening to music. Unexpected bonus of WFH for me, I'd forgotten quite how much I really enjoy it and now it's back, it's here to stay . Especially when the family are out as I can turn up the volume and sing along!

Making time to read. Escaping into a book for a while really makes me feel better.
Also gardening, both the activity and the results.

Oh and I forgot - going for a good cycle and having the option of stopping for a coffee (weather / restrictions permitting). I've missed that over the last few months whilst I've been tied to the house for work / children.

Painting and drawing. I'm terrible at it but I love it, it's so relaxing.
Working out, such a high afterwards.
Cooking. I love cooking. Especially when someone else cleans 🤣

Harmony singing in a chorus. The feeling when we hit the chord just right and the drive to improve takes me away from everyday worries. Plus the social side.

Music generally, listening to it, pub gigs to festivals. I do a great fitness class to really good music and started running last year to an amazing playlist of rock and dance anthems when my class was closed.

Crossfit, running (canicross) with dog swimming and chess!

Horse riding, running, cycling and walking the dog......can you tell I like the outdoors!

Running and the gym.

Keeping chickens

My horse/riding. Keeps me sane. Of late, gardening - watching my seedlings grow is bringing me untold joy!!

Horses - it is not an exaggeration to say my old mare has saved my life.

Painting! Started a few months ago but my gosh it's so calming

Looking after my guinea pigs (cuddles and physical jobs like all the cleaning), reading, cross stitch, making cushions from old clothes, choosing and browsing clothes from online secondhand shops, walking, STEM ambassador mentoring and I've been some lovely people and dogs through Borrow My Doggy.