Three Therapeutic Hobbies Your Sanity Will Thank You for This Quarantine

Working from home during these testing times and then changing up one’s routine because of  Ramzan has been a fretful challenge. Switching on the news adds to bristling pangs of anxiety and often one feels lost, even disillusioned. Taming your mind to rest, flush stress and keep a positive outlook is not hard, if you try. Inculcate and adopt these therapeutic hobbies to give your sanity a break.

Here are certain simple pet-projects and habits I adopted to help keep anxiety at bay! Read on…

Grow A Plant

I always found the phrase ‘indoor gardening’ too overwhelming to consider doing it, because it sounded like an extensive hobby that required a lot of commitment. But my love for greenery convinced me to get ahead with a simple first step. I began from scratch – sowed a few bitter gourd and lemon seeds (retrieved from the kitchen) in old, abandoned pots. And believe me when I say this, the process – using bare hands to plant the seeds, watering it regularly and watching the seeds shoot into baby plants – was the most rewarding activity I did this whole week! To unwind, I often take a book into my balcony and read sitting next to my new ‘babies’.

 Wash Your Woes In Colours

Art therapy is real and quarantine has brought out the inner-artists in many of us. Take an hour out and paint away your train of thoughts onto paper. Grab a kid’s colouring book and fill them in. It may feel silly but it will render some peace to your mind.

 

Walk & Podcast

Having no parks in your vicinity doesn’t mean you don’t get to savour some therapeutic walking. Post iftar, make it a point to take a walk in your streets or on your roof. Put on a funny, even silly podcast and let your heavy thoughts of the day drift away. You need the fresh air and your brain to drain out negative energy. Switch to audiobooks on days you feel a little extra listless!