Readers share the role of hobbies In improving mental health during stressful times

A Vigor’s Sunbird captured by Mondal from his balcony

It isn't unusual to hear of people picking up new hobbies during the pandemic. As per actor Kareena Kapoor's recent posts, her son Taimur has developed a penchant for baking and gardening. "Gardening, cooking or art-based activities compel you to use multiple senses at once, while being present in the moment. And so, they serve as informal mindfulness exercises," says Dr Nahid Dave, a psychiatrist at Thought Matters.

The best way to relax
"When most people take a break, they either spend their time on the phone or a gadget or doing nothing. This creates a sense of aimlessness. Hobbies, on the other hand, mentally cut you off from your regular routine. They also give you a mild dopamine high. Unlike binge-watching or addictions, this high can be sustained and replicated," Dr Dave points out.

Taimur Ali Khan Pataudi was spotted gardening and baking on social media. Pic/Instagram

Joydeep Mondal, a 32-year-old Goregaon-based architect, who discovered his love for birding from his balcony, says "When you look at wildlife in its natural habitat, you are sharing a part of that animal's day. Special moments such as the interaction of two birds or the inflow of migratory birds with the changing weather are exciting. I spend my day working on my laptop; these little breaks create room for new thoughts and ideas."

Ruchika Beri discovered her love for doodling last year

Reducing anxiety
"When we feel anxious, our thoughts are usually scattered around future events. We worry by coming up with negative scenarios based on these events. This makes us feel unsafe. Sensory grounding techniques can bring us back to the present moment and re-establish contact with safety," explains psychologist Priyanka Bajaria. Activities such as gardening and cooking can serve as grounding techniques.

Joydeep Mondal

For 35-year-old Ruchika Beri, her bustling WFH routine proved to be a source of stress. "I have to take a lot of work calls and my work is spread across four time zones. I began to experience stress, anxiety, and sleep disturbances. I took up doodling to increase my focus. This activity takes my mind off stressors," says the Santacruz resident. She also began to bake as a creative outlet and says that the joy of executing new recipes was a mood-lifter.

Ankit Doshi

Dr Dave warns against focusing on the outcome, to the extent that you stop enjoying the process. Ankit Doshi, a 35-year-old Matunga-based entrepreneur echoes her thoughts: "I took up gardening and it has instilled patience in me. You can't control when your plants will bloom or how quickly they will grow. I have learned to take ups and downs in my stride and live in the moment, every day."