There are many different activities that can be beneficial for mental health, as they can provide a sense of accomplishment, relaxation, and purpose. Instead of the usual few drinks down the pub or skill/knowledge training session, why not do some of these other activities to allow people some time to relax and get to know each other. They can be great for team building, social activities, charity/fundraising events and even networking events while also boosting your mental health. Some examples include:
- Drawing or painting: These activities can be therapeutic, as they allow you to express your creativity and emotions through visual art.
- Knitting, crocheting or sewing: These crafts can provide a sense of accomplishment as you create something tangible, and they can also be a calming and meditative activity.
- Gardening: Gardening can be a great way to connect with nature and engage in an activity that is both physically and mentally stimulating.
- Yoga or meditation: Both of these practices can be very calming and can help to reduce stress and anxiety.
- Cooking or baking: These activities can be enjoyable and therapeutic, as they allow you to create something delicious while also engaging in a creative and sensory process. While you might not be able to bake in the office, a cooking class can be a great group activity.
- Photography: taking photos can help you see the world in a new way and can be a great way to express your creativity and emotion.
- Sculpture: working with clay or other materials to create sculptures can be a fun and therapeutic activity that allows you to explore different shapes and forms.
- Collage: creating collages can be a fun and creative way to express yourself and can be a great way to relax and unwind.
- Origami: folding paper into different shapes and designs can be a calming and therapeutic activity that helps you relax and focus on the present moment.
- Calligraphy: this can be a very relaxing and therapeutic activity as it requires focus and concentration, which can help to clear the mind and reduce stress.
These types of activities can all help improve mood and lower stress and anxiety, the effort, multi-sensory engagement, repetitive actions and anticipation of satisfaction involved in making something are related to release of neurotransmitters that promote joy and well-being, while also reducing stress hormones. many of the activities also have a meditative quality due to their repetition, but also require focus and attention, which can provide healthy distraction from other stresses.
Finally, when done as a group they can be very social and bring people together. You may also find a group of people who have a particular love for a particular activity which might also spark a desire to do it on a more regular basis or join a class or club.
Learn more about mental health and wellbeing here and read our Quick Tips Series here.
