High-Strung People Usually Have 9 Hobbies That Can Calm Them Down Pretty Darn Fast
PeopleImages | Shutterstock I’ll be honest, I can be pretty high-strung. Thankfully, over the years, I have found hobbies that can instantly calm me down when my mind is running a mile a minute. From reading to journaling, I’ve found solutions to my constant stress.
It’s not always easy for high-strung people to work through their racing thoughts. They can be all-consuming. It can cause them to lash out at people and take their frustrations out on situations that aren’t the problem. Instead of letting this mindset consume them, they may choose these relaxing hobbies to take a breath and calm down.
Hobbies that can instantly calm even the most stressed-out, high-strung person:
1. Writing thoughts down in a journal
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Journaling can be such an effective tool for relieving stress. The best part is anyone can make it their own. There is no right or wrong way to write down your thoughts. Whether it’s spitting out every thought on paper or freewriting until they feel relieved, spending time with their thoughts might help them deal with everything they’re stressing out about.
This hobby can even help improve mood. People often feel lighter after they’ve written things down. It’s almost like giving your brain an empty canvas to start over on.
2. Getting lost in a good book
Nothing calms me down like a good book. Often, I feel like I can’t turn my thoughts off. I become overwhelmed and consumed by them. Somehow, when I open a book, I get lost in it. I’m not thinking about what’s to come; I’m focused on the moment and the story.
We may not realize it, but reading can reduce stress by up to 68%. It’s more effective for some than taking a walk or listening to music. High-strung people who feel instantly calm when reading a book might be able to chill out more quickly than others.
3. Sweating out stress with exercise
According to the Mayo Clinic, every form of exercise can reduce stress. You don’t need to be an athlete or marathon runner to feel the effects. Anything that pumps up endorphins can help a high-strung person calm down. It’s especially great when someone feels they’re in fight-or-flight mode.
When someone feels completely overwhelmed by the world around them, they can start to panic. High-strung people often deal with this. Even going on a light walk can help with emotional regulation. It benefits your blood vessels, digestive system, and even the immune system, helping you feel better even when it seems impossible.
4. Practicing mindfulness through yoga and meditation
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Taking time with your breath can help you calm down quickly. Some high-strung people rely on yoga or meditation practices to keep their head clear. Not only does it allow a mental release, but practicing yoga relieves the physical stress our bodies hold. It helps with tension and can alleviate aches and pains.
Like exercise, yoga releases endorphins, which boost feel-good hormones. This can instantly improve our moods, even in the depths of a stressful situation. Both yoga and meditation help you center your mind, giving you a clearer outlook on what might be causing your high stress.
5. Practicing art therapy
Have you heard of art therapy? It’s a practice that allows people to let go of stress and anxiety through the creative process. Focusing on drawing and painting can help manage our emotions, even when we are feeling especially overwrought.
A study found that art interventions, such as drawing, painting, and even playing with clay, greatly reduced stress and anxiety. Keeping busy with our hands can help regulate our emotions by giving us something else to focus on.
6. Spending time in nature
When some people picture spending time outdoors, they imagine someone hiking or camping. While these hobbies alleviate stress, you don’t have to make such a big commitment. Harvard University found that even a 20-minute nature break can help us take a step back from our thoughts and work through stress.
A high-strung person who finds comfort in nature might spend a few minutes in their front yard or even just outside of their workplace. It helps them work through what they’re feeling, taking some of the pressures of daily life off their shoulders by lowering cortisol.
7. Nurturing plants and gardening
One way people who spend time in nature unwind is by nurturing a garden. It feels good to take care of something other than ourselves. Maintaining plants and vegetables distracts our minds. Plus, getting a little dirty can be a good release by keeping our hands busy.
A study even found that gardening helped reduce stress considerably, even when done for 30 minutes a day. It also helps people feel secure in stressful economic times, knowing they have their own healthy food to eat. By eating healthy, they are also eliminating stressors that researchers have confirmed come from a bad diet, linking junk food and depression.
8. Spending time with friends
For some, the best way to relieve stress is to go out with their friends. Whether it’s a night on the town or a simple coffee meetup, the comfort of others means a lot. Science shows health benefits to hanging out with the people we love. It can lower blood pressure, which can often be a struggle for high-strung people.
Having close friends serves as protection. People who find comfort in support often share what is bothering them with people they know they can trust, taking that stress off their shoulders. Plus, having fun with your friends is also a great distraction. What’s better than laughing with your favorite people?
9. Enjoying a comforting movie or TV show
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Everyone has a comfort movie or show that they put on when they’re feeling stressed or depressed. Often, it’s something they’ve seen a hundred times that feels like hearing an old friend talking in the background. Believe it or not, this can act as a soothing social interaction, even if you’re at home by yourself.
Hearing something familiar helps us regulate our emotions. We know what to expect because we’ve consumed it before. High-strung people who feel overwhelmed by the world around them might find comfort and support in the media as a distraction and release of their stress.
Haley Van Horn is a freelance writer with a master’s degree in Humanities, living in Los Angeles. Her focus includes entertainment and lifestyle stories.
