Anxiety and depression have a way of shrinking the world. Activities you once loved begin to feel like obligations. Even small tasks—washing the dishes, making a call, answering an email—can feel insurmountable. It’s like moving through a fog that refuses to lift, no matter how hard you try to will it away.
I know that fog. And if you’ve ever found yourself in it, you know how hollow the usual advice can sound. “Just think positive.” “Go outside more.” While well-meaning, those phrases rarely help when you’re in the thick of it. What does help, though—sometimes in quiet, surprising ways—is having something small that’s yours alone. A hobby.
It sounds almost too simple, but hear me out.
Why Hobbies Matter for Mental Health
When anxiety takes over, it fills your head with relentless, racing thoughts. Depression whispers that nothing matters, so why bother at all? Both can leave you feeling powerless.
That’s where hobbies come in. A hobby doesn’t demand perfection. It isn’t about productivity or meeting anyone else’s expectations. It’s about doing something that belongs wholly to you. Whether it’s painting, gardening, writing, or moving your body to music, hobbies offer moments where you can step out of the noise in your mind and simply exist.
Science backs this up. Studies show that engaging in creative or physical activities lowers stress hormones, lifts mood, and even helps rewire the brain in ways that make it easier to manage symptoms of anxiety and depression. But beyond the research, there’s the undeniable truth: doing something you enjoy feels good. And sometimes, that’s enough to shift the day.
The Unexpected Healing Power of Dance
Of all the hobbies out there, dance holds a special place. There’s something about moving to music that loosens the grip of worry and quiets the pull of despair. Maybe it’s the rhythm that keeps you grounded in the present moment. Maybe it’s the way music can carry emotions words can’t reach. Whatever the reason, dance has consistently been shown to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety while boosting overall well-being.
Take Irish dancing, for example. It’s fast, rhythmic, and full of tradition. The intricate footwork demands total concentration, leaving no room for spiraling thoughts. Each step becomes a kind of moving meditation—focused, energizing, freeing. Over time, the practice doesn’t just provide an escape; it builds confidence and resilience.
Of course, like any physical activity, the right gear matters. Proper footwear helps you stay comfortable and prevents injury, letting you focus on the joy of movement rather than the strain. Companies like Keilys specialize in Irish dance shoes, offering beginner-friendly soft ghillies and advanced hard shoes that make the experience not just possible, but enjoyable.
Letting Go of “Good Enough”
Here’s the trap many of us fall into: we think we have to be good at something for it to count. That mindset keeps countless people from ever trying. But hobbies aren’t about performance. They’re about presence.
Your sketch doesn’t need to look like art you’d hang in a gallery. Your writing doesn’t need to be profound. Your dancing doesn’t need to impress anyone. What matters is the act itself—the way it makes you feel while you’re doing it.
When you let go of the pressure to be good, you free yourself to simply enjoy. And sometimes, that small pocket of joy is enough to cut through the fog.
Reclaiming Joy, One Small Step at a Time
Anxiety and depression can take so much: your energy, your motivation, your sense of self. But a hobby can give a little back. It’s not a cure-all, but it’s a reminder. A reminder that you are still capable of joy. That you can still create, explore, and feel alive.
So start small. Pick up a paintbrush, even if it’s only to doodle. Write a single page in a journal. Try a beginner’s dance class. Don’t wait until you feel better—start where you are. Because sometimes, starting is the very thing that helps you feel better.
And that is enough.
