Everyone can agree that Uni is stressful. Exams and assignments alongside extra-curricular commitments can be draining, making it really important that we remember to give ourselves a bit of self-love in our free-time. One of the best ways to do this is to focus on activities that improve our mindfulness. Here are just some of the hobbies that can help you destress and look after your wellbeing.
Complete a Puzzle
Puzzles can be really rewarding yet challenging at the same time. They allow you to put everything else aside and absorb yourself in the moment of finding which piece fits where. There are hundreds of different sizes and varieties to have a go at making them perfect, no matter how much time you have to spare. My favourite puzzles are Wasgij puzzles as you don’t actually know what the image you are trying to put together is meant to look like. It works by giving you an image of a scenario and you have to put together an image based on what might have happened next. Its super satisfying when you finally complete it, especially if it’s 1000 pieces!
Try a Spot of Crocheting and Knitting
I was never good at textiles at school but this hasn’t stopped me from making fun creations out of a ball of yarn! While I’m yet to have tried knitting, I can say that I am thoroughly enjoying learning how to crochet. Call me a grandma, but crocheting something like a giraffe (which I’m currently doing) is really relaxing. You can switch off and simply stitch away to your heart’s content. There are some really good kits to be found online at the moment for complete beginners. Tom Daley has recently released a range of knitting kits which look really fun. It is worth giving those a try or head to Etsy to buy off a small business.
Give Meditation a Go
Meditation really doesn’t have to take long. You can meditate for just five minutes if that’s all you have to spare. The main idea is for you to take some time out from the usual hustle and bustle of daily lives and simply sit or lie down and let any thoughts pass by. It is beneficial to focus on your breathing, immediately helping to ground you and calm you down. If you are feeling particularly stressed, it might even be worth going to your local meditation group. My Uni holds sessions in the Chaplaincy, allowing students to all come together to unwind.
Get Creative with Journaling
I’m not talking about diaries here although, if that is something that helps you self-reflect, then keep going! Journaling for me focuses on noting down your goals and aims, thoughts, feelings and important daily events. These are usually bullet points for me and act as a form of daily reflection. Journaling is a great way to look back on your progress, having something to feel positive about if you are having a particularly down day. It is also really fun to get creative with colourful pens and turning a notebook into a work of art.
Read a Book
Academic books don’t count! When was the last time you read a book for your own enjoyment? So many of us get caught up in the huge amount of readings we have to do for our course that we often don’t read enough for fun. In terms of mindfulness, there are a wonderful selection of self-help and motivational books available which you can flick through to find parts that are particularly relevant to you. My favourite self-help book at the moment is You Deserve Better by Anne-Marie!