Finding the right hobby can be a wonderful way to deal with stress. There are few better ways to deal with that pent-up tension than to find somewhere to release. While all hobbies are valid, if you’re the kind of person who likes to be able to look back at their achievements and what they’ve done with their time, then here are some of the best hobbies that give you something to look back on.

Baking

There are few things that are going to help stress dissolve quite like the smells of baking in the house. Whether it’s something as simple as pumpkin spice cookies or you like to take on complex cake recipes, baking not only keeps you really busy, but you end up with something delicious, which is going to be extra helpful in beating away bad moves. Plus, you can share.

Papercrafts

Honestly, you could say that any crafts would work in this space, but with paper, not only is it super accessible, but it’s not expensive and it’s fairly easy to start learning, as well. You can learn origami with online tutorials without any issues. At first, the shapes and results can be pretty simple, but you can learn complex shapes and collect colorful papers that you can decorate in a wide range of ways to end up with some adorable crafts for your space.

Music

Music is a wonderful mood lifter. That’s not just true of listening to music, but playing it as well. If you’ve always wanted to try to test your musical talents, there are budget-friendly keyboards that you can invest in. You don’t have to play to reach any particular level, simply picking up a discipline and seeing your improvement, not to mention being able to play some of your favorite songs, can be reward enough.

Exercise

It might sound like a chore to think about, but exercise is an excellent habit to pick up, and one of its best benefits is your ability to manage stress. Moving your body can help you release your pent-up tension, and it also releases positive neurochemicals like dopamine and endorphins to manage your mood. Plus, there are few better results to look back on than a fitter body with more stamina that doesn’t feel tired as often or as easily.

Journaling

Writing is always a great exercise for the mind, which needs a workout as much as the body sometimes. Aside from being more thoughtful about both your own moods and how you react to and treat others around you, journaling can help you get a sense of distance from your own feelings. This can be very helpful when dealing with stressful or sad situations, being able to take a break from the feeling of experiencing those emotions by putting them on paper instead.

It’s important to keep in mind that the purpose of hobbies isn’t necessarily always to create cool stuff. However, it can help you look positively back on the time you spent, as well as give you a physical mantra to deal with stress.