image via Papyrus

Whether you’re stressed from planning a wedding (slash any event) or you’re just trying to survive the day, everyone needs a list of ways to de-stress. Plus, don’t we all want to be hobby people?! I mean, really. I don’t know anyone who doesn’t want a good hobby list.

These are some of my favorite ways to unwind after a long day. Ways get keep your mind positive, focused, and let’s be honest, distracted. A good, healthy distraction is sometimes just what you need.

Crochet: when we lived in Italy, a few friends and I were itching for a hobby. What did we land on? Crocheting. And so begun Crochet Club (i.e. an excuse to drink more wine and help each other perfect our sweet skills). This instantly became my go to nightly routine. Crocheting while watching tv or right before gong to sleep, is so calming. The repetative motion just soothes you right to sleep – dreamy! Here’s a beginners video to get started.

Puzzles:

via GIPHY

Any other New Girl fans out there?! Unlike Winston, you can become a master puzzler! Start a puzzle and work on it a little at a time. With your coffee in the morning, with a glass of wine at night, and maybe an all-day Sunday marathon sesh. I started with this Buffalo Puzzle (a pal told me that Buffalo is a great brand and I can agree!) Use an Elmer’s Craft board so you can move your work around and don’t need to occupy your coffee table or dining room table all the time (because it takes me a while to do puzzles).

Book Club (orrr solo book club version): book clubs are the best when you’re trying to get yourself back to reading regularly. I’m a big fan of starting one with your closest friends and letting each person pick a book of the month. Currently, I’m not part of a book club but I did create a reading list for myself for the first 6 months of the year (so far, I’m tracking ahead..holler!) Keep a note in your phone of the books you want to read and check them off as you go. To keep myself interested, I try to alternate self-help/business books and novels.

Meditation: The Headspace Meditation App is by far my favorite guided meditation tool. Start with the 10 day free trial and see if Andy is right for you. Spend 10 minutes in the morning or before bed and I promise, you’ll feel more relaxed! There is just too much research behind the benefits of meditation, even if just for 10 minutes, to ignore this for much longer!

So tell me, what are your favorite ways to relax after a long day? Tell me which hobby I should try next!