Being a celebrity tends to be more stressful than most of us give it credit for, which is why many famous actors, musicians, and other stars often cherish relaxing hobbies. Research shows that hobbies and well-being are closely related. This is particularly true of late, with one study having pointed out that people who spend more time on leisurely pursuits have been better able to tap into protective benefits for psychological health during the pandemic.
Now, we’re sure plenty of celebrities have struggled through the past two years just like the rest of us. But we also know that they lead extraordinarily demanding, high-stress lives in general, and that some of them have found ways of balancing that lifestyle out with soothing activities on the side. Tapping into these stars for inspiration, here are a few relaxing hobbies we might all do well to try this year.
Knitting
Knitting is no longer exclusive to grandmas (as the old stereotype went). Thanks to a few famous figures, in fact, it’s even sort of trendy! Young models like Yuuki Tang, Céline Goebel, and Akshara Shivakumar were all part of a lockdown movement that embraced knitting in connection to DIY fashion. This emerging Gen Z trend of self-knit clothing combined environmental awareness with mental health priorities, given that knitting is known for promoting mindfulness. And yet this wasn’t actually the first time celebrities got into knitting! Famous actors Ryan Gosling, Amy Adams, Meryl Streep, and Sarah Jessica Parker are also famous for enjoying this calming activity.
Once you pick up the materials and learn the basic stitches, you’ll be producing hand-knit hats and scarves in no time, and likely feeling more relaxed for it.
Pottery
Pottery is an art that has existed quite literally for thousands of years. But this too has been brought back to the cultural forefront by a handful of prominent celebrities. Most notably, pottery is known to be an interesting side hobby of Brand Pitt’s. The actor has his own pottery room and kiln in his Hollywood mansion, and is even said to have introduced the activity to Leonardo DiCaprio while the two were filming Once Upon A Time In Hollywood. Separately, meanwhile, comic actor and writer Seth Rogen has also played a role in promoting pottery of late, and has become somewhat famous for tweeting out pictures of his vases and bowls.
It’s probably not a coincidence that the three actors just mentioned come across as people who are extraordinarily at ease with themselves. Taken as a hobby, learning to shape clay into different pieces allows you to tune out personal worries, let go of stress, and focus completely on the task at hand. It’s a messy skill to learn, but it does teach you to center yourself in a certain way.
Woodworking
Woodworking is another hobby that’s been promoted by beloved actors. Nick Offerman (primarily known as Ron Swanson from Parks and Recreation is particularly well known for his love of the craft, and even runs a woodworking shop alongside his acting career. Acclaimed method actor Daniel Day-Lewis –– who has learned a number of crafts throughout his life, including shoemaking and dressmaking –– is also known to enjoy working with wood. The multi-time Oscar winner discovered his passion for woodworking at boarding school, and even tried to take his hobby to the next level by applying for an apprenticeship with a cabinet maker before being pulled into acting.
This is ultimately a slightly more challenging hobby, but also an exciting and satisfying one that can help you clear your head. It’s craftsmanship that demands your full attention, if you want to walk away with something beautiful and useful (or just something you’re proud to have created). As a beginner, you’ll need to learn the tools, study different types of wood, and take classes.
Meditation
As meditation has become more common in recent years, it seems that countless famous figures have gotten on board. Indeed, it might almost be easier to make a list of celebrities who don’t meditate at this point than those who do! But to name a few, we know that people like Oprah, Hugh Jackman, and Lady Gaga all swear by meditation as a means of staying grounded in their hectic daily lives. Suffice it to say, it’s an extraordinarily common celebrity hobby for good reason.
As we mentioned in a previous post, meditation can teach you to be more present and aware of your thoughts. Mindfulness meditation is well regarded by psychologists for its ability to control anxiety, reduce stress, and promote emotional health. It will clear your head, ease your stress, and generally keep you better prepared to face the challenges in your day-to-day life. To get started, try to seek out guided meditation (even if it’s through an app) so that you can learn techniques and figure out what works for you.
We hope these celebrity-inspired relaxation practices do you some good! For more health and wellness tips, check out some of our other articles here on the Wiki-Fitness website.
Leave a Reply