The World Health Organization has sent out many warnings of the rapidly increasing rate of heart related complaints. Though our medical systems have vastly improved, heart complaints are on a rise due to lifestyles! Stress is one great heart killer! And thus, De-stressing yourself becomes the priority for a happy heart. A happy heart is a healthy heart! And it is here that the role of hobbies comes in. Hobbies relax us. They remove stress through joy and fun. Here, we recommend six hobbies that keep your heart happy and healthy!
1. Dance yourself happy
When the word ‘dancing’ is mentioned, it is not that you have to go to some party or dance floor. Do it all by yourself! Yes! This is not a joke. Dancing is one activity where one has to totally let go of oneself. There are no physical inhibitions or even mental and psychological ones that hinder you. It is also a wonderful exercise to burn away calories. The dance will leave you ‘lighter, refreshed and happy. You can also organize your own informal party at home and have a little dance session after some juices and mocktails. When by yourself, just try out different dances. It does not matter how you look – only how you feel.
2. Cooking up real happiness
For any heart problem, the doctors make recommendations of food. To keep the heart healthy and happy, cooking is definitely one among the top recommended hobbies. Cooking is therapeutic! The prospects of pleasing the family and loved ones, the challenge and fun in getting it right and the whole experience of experimentation leads to joy. So go ahead and start whipping out recipes. Even if you are new to cooking, have no worries. You can ask your family or friends for help. You can also utilize the thousands of recipes available in books and online. Start with simple dishes. Soon you will be a master chef!
3. Painting a colorful world of joy
Take a splash into the world of colors. Colors have a close relationship with emotions and painting is one of the best ways to allow the heart an expression. Grab a brush, some paints and start dabbing it on paper. You will be surprised at how happy it makes you! Painting on paper is only one form of this creative expression. You could join a pottery class or paint on glass. Cloth painting is another option that is available. The best thing about this hobby is that at the end, you also have a product that you can treasure and that will give you a feeling of great pride and sense of achievement.
4. Travel on your dreams
Is it any wonder that travel and tourism forms one of the most favorite hobbies and pastimes in the world? Travel and tourism gives one a welcome break in ways more than one. So go ahead and chart your plans. Short weekend trips with family and friends helps to take mind off from the grueling office and work life. Once or twice a year, plan a 2-3 weeks long vacation. And when you make those plans, spend a majority of that time in places that relax and rejuvenate you. It does not make sense if the holiday is filled with hectic and frantic activity. Places of natural beauty are the best options. Also cultivate your other hobbies like painting and photography when you are on travel.
5. Flowering joys
Nature has a magical effect on one’s body, mind and spirit. No wonder that being in nature is considered ‘natural’! While tours and travels to places of natural beauty involve considerable planning and have financial implications, gardening is an easy alternative to get closer to nature. The major expenses in gardening are efforts and time. Find some open space in your compound or even within your apartment. Gardens come in all sizes and you can also make a terrarium if you are constrained for space. Plants seem to exude positive energies and it has been proved that the color green is very calming and relaxing. Caring for the plants and nurturing them also increases the feel good factor.
6. Music to the ears
We see genres of music being sold with the label – ‘Healing Music’! Music is healing by nature. It soothes, calms and relaxes. Plug in your headphones and become lost to this world. There is such a luxurious variety of music available and you are sure to find something that suits your tastes and likes. And you need not restrict to hearing music. If you play an instrument or are a singer yourself, take time out every day to spend with your music. Music comes very close to meditation for all energies and attention is focused without any strain. Music is sure to keep you tranquil and happy.
