Relaxing Hobbies to Help You De-Stress After a Busy Week

Are you looking for a new relaxing hobby to help you decompress? I’m on a mission to try every hobby out there, and I might be a little obsessed. Included are pictures of my crafts to get you inspired to start crafting!

Crafting is just what you need to unwind and recharge. Hobbies not only teach you something fun, but it’s a way to relax, focus, and express your creativity.

Not sure where to start, don’t worry! Here’s a list of 19 hobbies to try so you can add more peace to your life.

Here are some relaxing hobby ideas to help de-stress.

1. Cross stitching

Cross-stitching is one of my all-time favorite hobbies, and I’m addicted. This hobby is way easier than you think, so don’t let it intimidate you. Cross-stitch involves reptitive motion, so it’s easy to listen to an audiobook when you’re doing this hobby or watching television in the background.

I learned how to cross-stitch from a local stitch shop, but you can also teach yourself how to cross-stitch using YouTube tutorials.

2. Crocheting

It seems like everyone is crocheting these days, which makes sense since the hobby is so fun and easy to learn. I love putting on a cozy movie or TV show and crocheting blankets, amigurumi, and sweaters.

3. Knitting

I’m not the best knitter, even though I’ve tried learning many times. However, knitting patterns are the BEST. Ravelry, Pinterest, and Etsy have so many amazing patterns, and I want to do them all.

4. Plants

Getting into plants and caring for them is a therapeutic way to use your hands and care for something. I have over 200 houseplants, including cacti, and I love giving each fo them the time and attention to flourish and grow.

5. Stained Glass

Stained glass is a unique hobby that is becoming popular again due to TikTok and YouTube. I recently took a class at a local glass shop and I’m addicted. We even have a glass studio in our garage now! This is what I made in a beginner stained-glass class.

6. Puzzles

Puzzles are the perfect cozy, turn your brain off activity for days when you want to sit and relax for a few hours. Plus, Barnes and Noble has some really cute, whimsical puzzles.

7. Embroidery

Embroidery is a hobby that can teach you all kinds of stitches while adding personal touches to clothes, totes, and more. I’m not going to lie, this is a picture of a kit I bought and gave up on, so I gave it to my mom and she finished it.

8. Nature walks

I’m not a fan of meditating, so what I do instead is go on nature walks. I listen to the birds, wind, and the crunch of my shoes hitting leaves. Use the AllTrails app to find trails near you.

9. Watercolor

Watercolor is a great way to get into painting and bonus, it’s very forgiving. If you make a mistake, you can usually fix it by picking up the paint with a paint brush. I went to my local craft store and bought a watercolor kit, paper, and brushes. I’m addicted.

10. Reading

Reading is my favorite way to venture and get lost in a different world. I love all kinds of books – fantasy, sci-fi, romance, non-fiction, thriller, and mystery. I take advantage of the library and also use my local library’s eBook and audiobook app.

11. Birdwatching

Are you looking for a peaceful and rewarding hobby that connects you with nature? You need to get into birdwatching. This is a hobby unlike any other on this list because it requires patience and observation skills.

To get started, all you need is a pair of binoculars, a field guide or app for bird identification, and a quiet outdoor space like a park or your backyard. Begin by observing common local birds, noting their colors, behaviors, and sounds. As you get more comfortable, you can expand to new locations, join birdwatching groups, or keep a birding journal.

12. Baking

Baking is a hobby that combines creativity with food. I get baking recipe inspiration from Pinterest and YouTube. Learning how to cook delicious treats that you can enjoy yourself and gift to others is a great skill to learn and a confidence booster.

13. Pottery

There’s truly no hobby like pottery and I always recommend it to everyone. Below is a plate and bowl set I mind and I was so proud of it. Pottery is so fun because you get to use your hands, get messy, and see how quickly clay changes shape with the touch of your fingers.

14. Scrapbooking

Scrapbooking is making a comeback and I’m here for it. This hobby lets you preserve and personalize memories in a way that is appealing to you.

To get started, you’ll need a scrapbook album, some basic supplies like patterned paper, adhesive, and embellishments such as stickers or stamps. Begin by organizing your photos and mementos, and then arrange them on pages using various layouts and designs.

Since I don’t have any social media, I use scrapbooking to print out photos so I can look back at my favorite memories.

15. Stargazing

Stargazing at night is my favorite free hobby. I love seeing shooting stars, planes flying overhead, and satellites. This is a cozy way to wind down at night and relax without any electronics.

16. Cozy videos

One of my newest favorite hobbies is watching cozy, relaxing videos on YouTube. Some of my favorite creators include:

17. Journaling

My therapist recommended I start journaling, and I’ve been loving it ever since. Putting your thoughts down on paper is so therapeutic and relieves stress. Plus, it’s a great excuse to buy a new journal.

Which hobby are you interested in starting?