I think if I tried to fit in some of those activities (Gardening and Photography especially) my life wouldn't be as hectic as I make it out to be. I could finally fit some time in for myself and do some things that I would like to do. My job is very stressful so sometimes I need a good breather.

I agree completely these are great ways to alleviate daily stress. Anyone who has a stressful day or job would greatly benefit from any of the a fore mentioned activities.

Writing, yoga, and meditation has worked very well for me. I had never thought of photography to relieve stress, so I'll have to try it out sometime. Thanks for the blog!

I didn't find this post helpful. I've tried most of these things. Honestly, I have not found them affective. The only one that I haven't tried is yoga. Hopefully this could work for others.

I love this post and I would definitely recommend it!

I'm an esthetician at Aveda and I totally believe in thoughtless meditation for a stress reliever.

At the beginning of the month, my boyfriend and I went to barnes and noble and got these really cute journals to start writing in for the new yr! Its really helpful for me because Im just always with him and he gets on my nerves!!! Im definitely gonna try painting and photgraphy!

I wish I had the patiences and time to do some of these things to relieve stress because they are really great ideas. When I'm stressed I find that calming activities do not work well for me because it allows time for my mind to wander right back to what is bothering me. Listen to music seems to work the best for me because no matter what kind of mood you are in there is a song that can relate.

Great post. My best stress reliever is definitely writing. For the past two years, I have diligently written in a journal on a daily basis. It really helps to see your stressors on paper and helps you realize that, inevitably, this too shall pass.

Yoga is definately the best on the list. In my opinion. And photography also

Most of the tips are quite good. I am particularly impressed by the tips yoga and thoughtless meditation. That will surely help you to relieve your stress largely.The warm physical intimacy with the opposite sex could do wonders.

I do photography for a living and I have come to realize that is a good stress outlet for me. I feel that even if you don't like it, you still can get a good stress-free feeling from it.

Sometimes we're so stressed that we can't even take the time to think about de-stressing. These activities are the kinds of things you can lose yourself in without trying...and before you know it, you've forgotten you were ever stressed! I think I'll try writing and painting--and not worry about the fact that I'm not "good" at either. Maybe they will relax me anyway....
Thanks.

I couldn't agree more. I've used all except one of these activities for stress relief and just overall emotional healing. The best part about this list is that almost anyone can find an activity they would be willing to at least try. I use a combination of music (piano, guitar and singing)/meditation often. A lot of times I also find that if my mind is still quite stressed, a couple of activities will be the one-two punch that I need to regain peace of mind.

I do 2 on you list and I want to start gardening this spring so i cant wait. Fishing is the biggest stress reliever for me. I can sit all day and just watch the clouds go by, if I catch a fish, good, if not it was still a great day.

The first stress-reliever you listed is a big one for me - gardening. We're only two months into winter, and I'm itching for spring! Whether it's planting flowers or just raking leaves or pulling up weeds, it calms your mind and the cares of the day melt away. If you've had an especially stressful day, it may help to do more vigorous gardening. Music is another big one for me - playing the piano takes me away to another place where I completely forget about all that is bothering me. A couple more ideas you did not mention are taking your dog for a walk or hike or cooking. My husband knows I'm stressed out when he comes home and I have been cooking up a storm all day. It's a big stress-reliever for me, I guess because I'm doing something with my hands and focusing on the recipes. You've listed some great ideas to start off with!

While this is a very nice list, I think you might have included some things that aren't as time or money intensive. For example, enjoying a long soak in a hot bath, taking the time to enjoy some music with no distractions, or simply allowing yourself to enjoy a glass of wine and a good book. But thank you for sharing the suggestions though!

I do everything but yoga and music. Being tone deaf really put the binders on. I find gardening the most beneficial for relieving my stress. I can really dig those holes when I’m the most stressed. One can also go for long walks in the park or just down a nice neighborhood and look at the flowers. I find flowers have a way of making me think about my own problems and how little they seem. Flowers have to fight so hard to get to the point of blooming and all from that tiny little seed.

I agree with all of the items on the list. Except for yoga, gardening, and fishing (I don't really get involved with these too often simply because I prefer to use other approaches), I have had a great deal of success with the stress relieving activities mentioned.

I agree with all of the items on the list. Except for yoga, gardening, and fishing (I don't really get involved with these too often simply because I prefer to use other approaches), I have had a great deal of success with the stress relieving activities mentioned.

I agree that all of the things on your list are stress relieving for most people. I watch comedy television program mes to calm myself.Yes, all these tips are very useful to overcome stress.

I loved this post! I am in a very stressful part of my life right now and by taking a few minutes to try out one or two of these ideas can make a big difference!

While I can see how a lot of these activities can help relieve stress, but as other people have said, it may be difficult for many people to try all of these activities. Some of them seem pretty time intensive, the reason I get stressed in the first place is because I am so busy! Also, they don't seem very original. This article didn't offer me anything that I didn't already know.

The article is too general, I really expected to see some great new tips on reducing stress not something my mother and or grandmother told me to try.

When I am stressed i love to watch funny movies or listen to music. Or I go for a nice long walk. Reading is calming for me. But the best is listening to my children laugh makes me laugh too. I just try to remove myself from whatever it is that is making me stressed.

I like the intent, but I'm not so sure about the activities. All of those would be pretty aggravating to me, or at least boring. I think that what's important is finding an activity that relieves your stress, regardless of what others think of it. For instance, I find that some good, friendly debate helps to relieve stress for me. Of course, that wouldn't work for everyone.

Yes, all these tips are very useful to overcome stress. I watch comedy television program mes to calm myself.As indhus rightly said sex can also play a vital role in relieving stress in you.

these were pretty good although a few seem a little cliched. and shouldn't reading be on this list?? although i agree that being outside is a stress reliever. my favorite way to spend a lunch break is outside, reading while i eat by myself. when you eat with your coworkers, you just gossip and complain about work, so you aren't really escaping from anything by staying in with them!

Painting and writing are my favorites of this list. I would also add dance. For me those are types of activities that I can fully immerse myself in and I don't have to think about anything when I'm there; I can just enjoy that moment. Sometimes writing is the only way I can get a release from stress.

In my opinion yoga and meditation can help you largely to relieve stress. A soothing music also could help. One important tip I would add is to have sex with your spouse once or twice in a week. This intimate sex will definitely help you to live a stress free life.

I agree that all of the things on your list are stress relieving for most people. I just wish that your list included things that were less cost restrictive (I can't afford to purchase all of the many supplies needed to take up painting or photography) and less space restrictive (I am trapped in a desert with no where nearby to go fishing or even usable soil to garden). I guess I can try mediation though!

Such a great list. There are a couple on this list that I do regularly, but this is a reminder for me that there are so many other activities out there that will bring me joy and well-being.

These are some great things to help relieve stress. I love photography, and I find that even as a novice, I manage to take some truly beautiful photos. I do wish it had a bit of an introduction, however.

I have done all 6 of those to relieve stress, and I agree 100%. They definitely help me relax and unwind. I especially love photography. It's nice to be able to sit outdoors and take pictures of the beautiful scenery and share those with others that I love.

I notice that many of the stress relievers mentioned are actually just a way to be creative. Creativity can be a huge stress reliever in any form - to some people. But not everyone does enjoy these particular hobbies. The key to releasing stress, is taking time out from whatever is causing the extra stress and doing something you enjoy.

Out of all that you mentioned, I already do 5 of them. I would never do the fishing one, as I am an animal rights activist, but I can understand why it is listed. Really good suggestions here. Thanks!

I enjoy doing most of the things you have listed here; however, most of these activities can be done only during the weekend if you are working. I'm mostly stressed during the weekdays, so I would like to see some activities which you can do, say, within a time frame of 20-30 minutes.

I agree that having fun hobbies helps you relax and relieve stress, but based on the article's title I thought there would be a list of ten different types of stress-relieving activities as opposed to ten activities that are different but can be categorized as just hobbies. The article's title should be something like "Having Hobbies Can Relieve Stress" or "Ten Different Hobbies That Relieve Stress".

I also agree that all of those activities relieve stress, and they're actually super entertaining. I can't express how much I love to fish. You're relaxing at a pond, and you have to stay quiet and calm. What part of that isn't relaxing? I think all of the activities listed in this blog are super helpful, especially when it comes to relieving stress. They're also great things to do with family or friends, that are possibly in the same boat as you.

Yes, yes, and yes! I definitely agree that all those activities can relieve stress. Personally, I can testify to yoga being a great stress reliever. You just feel really good afterwards. I think anything that you enjoy doing would be something that can relieve your stress. I really like your list because it would make someone who likes these activities to rethink about doing them again.

Just reading about them makes me feel so good and relaxed. I love gardening. I don't have much time for it now, but when we were young, my brother and I would help my grandmother tend to her garden during the summer, and those were some of the best memories I have. And thoughtless meditation. Well, that's pretty much how i fall asleep these days.. :)

I do 6 of the activities on the list already and they definitely take me far far way fro any and all stressful situations... Day dreaming also helps, and dancing