Creativity, Hobbies, Stress, Anxiety and Panic Attacks
By NancyC on Apr 13, 2009 in Featured Category 2, Treatment for Panic Attacks
Do you have any hobbies or projects that you enjoy?
Many people who are filled with anxiety will tell you that they do not have any hobbies or have given up on their hobbies and interests. Perhaps what you need to help you overcome anxiety attacks is a little dose of creativity.
Sigmund Freud said that depression was the result of stifled creativity. Freud, the founder of modern psychiatry, saw that many people who were highly creative also had mental disorders, including depression and anxiety.
If you start a hobby that interests you, chances are that you will take your mind off of the problems that you are imagining and start focusing on this hobby. Many people will look for a creative outlet when they are feeling anxious.
In order to find the right creative outlet for you, take a look at your past and what you liked to do. What sort of hobby or creative project interests you? Are you making time for that in your life right now?
Chances are that you are not making any time for anything when you are feeling anxious - other than the anxiety, which can take over your life if you allow this to happen. Start thinking of hobbies as well as creative pursuits that you can follow to allow yourself to feel more in control and less anxious. Some of the most popular hobbies include:
- Painting
- Writing
- Needlework
- Knitting
- Scrapbook Making
- Photography
- Woodworking
or even more active pursuits, golf, fishing, walking the dog in the park or a myriad of other choices.
This is just a few of the hobbies that might help you when you are feeling anxious. If you focus on the hobby, you will focus less on your own anxiety and can stop the negative thought process in its tracks.
If you are unsure about a hobby, or have a hobby that you would like to try but do not know how to go about it, you can go to your local parks department to see if they are offering classes. You can also look to stores that sell supplies, such as scrap book supplies, and see if they have a class that you can take to learn the tricks of the trade. Sometimes, just doing something creative alleviates the anxiety.
When you feel an anxiety attack coming on, start to express what you are feeling in a creative way. This is often taught in art therapy for those who have chronic pain, such as headaches. Many times they will paint what they are feeling when the have a migraine headache. This can help them endure the migraine and also make something positive come out of the experience.
Remember this… expression equals outlet. You need to have an outlet for the anxious energy you are building up. A different focus for your mind, a positive outlet rather than a negative one.
Creative pursuits can help you endure the anguish that you feel when you become full of anxiety and are a much more positive way of dealing with these feelings than by trying to self medicate yourself with alcohol or other means. You may even find that you have a knack for a certain hobby and can make something good come out of your anxiety.
One woman who had anxiety began to knit. Needle work is a good way to alleviate stress because it entails concentrating on a repeated pattern. Many people today are seeking a way to learn how to knit, crochet or perform needlework tasks. These domestic arts are coming full circle as people find that they are under a great deal of stress and need something to help them cope.
Writing is also a very creative pursuit and can be a way to allow the negative energy to escape you. If you feel as though you are getting anxious, you should write down what you are feeling. You can do this in the form of poetry or prose. You do not have to be talented to do this and you do not have to show anyone what you are writing, either. But this can be a way to help you transfer your anxiety onto paper and thus, ridding it from being trapped in your mind.
Keep a journal and write down your negative thoughts to try to expel them from you body. Writing can be one of the best creative pursuits for anxiety as it does not cost any money and can be done on the spur of the moment. Just have a pen and paper and write your thoughts out.
Myself, I am an active type person. Golf is my passion and there is nothing like pounding golf balls to relieve stress. I can’t say hitting the ball as hard as possible does anything for my swing, but damn, it sure makes me feel better.
What about in the winter, when it’s too cold to hold a steel shaft in your hands? Well, I took up painting, and have them hanging all over the house. I’ve actually been offered good money for my paintings, but have never sold them, I enjoy them too much. But, the same thing could happen to you, you never know, your creative outlet might just lead you to another career, or at least another stream of income, and even if they don’t, I know for sure they will lead you to a path of further enrichment and enjoyment in your life!
Take control of your panic attacks… without the use of medication and expensive doctors! Try Panic Away.
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Featured Category 2, Treatment for Panic Attacks
Tags: buy-panic-away, Cure Panic Attacks, cure-anxiety-attacks, End Anxiety Attacks, End Panic Attacks, Panic Away, Stop Anxiety Attacks, Stop Panic Attacks
23 Comment(s)
By Melvy on Jul 15, 2009 | Reply
Anxiety depends upon the circumstances or intensity of being in an anxious stage relating any of these problems like financial problems, relationships, illness, career, exams and so on. By keeping our minds occupies with hobbies and games of our interest, we can be free of anxiety.
By Diane on Aug 2, 2009 | Reply
Panic and Anxiety can be a traumatic experience. I agree that doing things to keep your mind off your anxiety can help a lot. Another good way to help is to use a a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) program.
By Mark on Aug 4, 2009 | Reply
Thanks for the article. I know from bitter experience that it is definately important to occupy your mind to help you through panic and anxiety attacks as allowing yourself to think on negative thoughts is definately only going to lead you down the wrong path. I totally agree that we should be looking more at natural types of medication as cures for anxiety rather than let the nation keep “popping pills”.
By daniel on Aug 7, 2009 | Reply
By keeping our minds occupies with hobbies and games of our interest, we can be free of anxiety.
daniel´s last blog ..Creativity, Hobbies, Stress, Anxiety and Panic Attacks
By Jerry Clifford from Minneapolis Minnesota real estate on Sep 29, 2009 | Reply
Inspiring post, When i feel stress or panic attacks, I do the same things which you posted on this post. I start writing about my feelings in my diary. It’s really helps me, After few days or months when i look back to those pages, a smile comes on my face & at that moment i feel i was having stress for nothing lol. I listen to the music too, well it truly keeps my mind busy. In the ends it’s true by keeping our minds busy with hobbies or things which interest us most we can be feel free from anxiety.
By Bill on Oct 5, 2009 | Reply
Thankd for the informative post. I also use golf as my outlet. It sure feels good to take my driver and watch the ball fly out to the 250+ yard marker.
Bill @ Coping With Panic Attacks´s last blog ..Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety
By ryan from golf swing mechanics on Oct 30, 2009 | Reply
Having a hobbies is very helpful for everyone. When you have hobbies that you really enjoy you will not think of all the problems you have and you will not get into stress.
By NancyC on Nov 5, 2009 | Reply
Journals and diaries are one of the most effective tools we can use!!
Thanks for taking the time to post and reinforce that point!
Best,
Nancy
By NancyC on Nov 5, 2009 | Reply
There’s just something about hitting a golf ball that cures all kinds of ills, isn’t there?
By Frankz from family hobbies on Dec 12, 2009 | Reply
Oil painting is my favorite hobby even when I’m just a child. I can say that it’s very effective in dealing with stress, as you will be able to express yourself.
By Jenn from Louisville Ky Real Estate on Dec 17, 2009 | Reply
Great recommendations in this article. I think its important this time of year when everyone is stressed out from the holidays, to take some time to make sure you take care of yourself. Finding a hobby is a great way to help lower your stress levels.
Jenn@Louisville Ky Real Estate´s last blog ..2009 North Oldham High School Tis The Season Artisan & Spirit Fest
By scrapbook on Feb 9, 2010 | Reply
attractive post nice article we have 2 do some great hobbies to avoid panic,stress and anxiety.when i feel lots of stress in my mind i start dancing with my husband and baby
By Yunass on Feb 11, 2010 | Reply
Nice, i like it. I hope to read more of you too soon.
By Joe Baldwin on Feb 11, 2010 | Reply
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By Jacob from wooden boat plans on Mar 21, 2010 | Reply
I agree- I spent a couple days researching this last week, although didn’t find as much information as you’ve displayed here. Thanks for the in-depth post, it certainly clarified a few things for me.
By James from Nail Polish Rack on Jul 23, 2010 | Reply
I’ve always been able to occupy myself with something or other…because I have many hobbies. And you know what…it does wonders to get rid of anxiety. If you’re constantly worrying about something, become proactive in finding a solution to the problem. Take on biking or find some other avenue to channel that energy.
James@Nail Polish Rack´s last blog ..Discount OPI Nail Polish Rack
By Enoch Bosque on Jul 31, 2010 | Reply
Hi. I just want to say that it was a nice reading. I hope you come out with more interesting posts, because I bookmarked your website. All the best.
By Anonymous on Sep 5, 2010 | Reply
This is some great advice. A lot of times when people, including myself, have panic attacks, we just sit there and fester on how terrible we feel, which just makes it worse. I like the idea of having a panic plan, where you basically just do something of interest and fun. For me, that’s usually jumping on my bike and going for a ride, or even just going window shopping. Thank you for this useful info.
Medusa from Hair Extensions Salon Chicago´s last blog ..Fusion Hair Extensions- Aurora- Naperville- Wheaton
By Tom on Nov 26, 2010 | Reply
A very insightful article. As for me, there is no higher meditation to meditate than the food for our soul that is the word of God this is my hobby to conquer my panic attacks. But anyway thank you for sharing this valuable-post. More Power
By JC on Dec 6, 2010 | Reply
This is very informative. It is true that diverting your attention to more beneficial activities helps you release stress which is one cause of anxiety attack.
By Leonard on May 21, 2011 | Reply
I like to cook. This is my best hobby. And I really feel better when I am making delicious plates.
By Lynda on Sep 12, 2011 | Reply
Surely one of the ways to overcome anxiety is to get involved in other creative projects. This will keep your mind involved in the creative project rather than jut thinking about the problem or issue that makes you anxious.
By Mike R. on Sep 13, 2011 | Reply
I know it is very important to handle stress, because if you don’t another dilemma will come for sure and it will make you more stressed. I really appreciate this blog post as it really applies to day to day activities
Mike R.´s last blog ..WinterDaze, MixTwo by Dino & Terry (Strictly House Music)