Things to do in your free time at the countryside

Women who stay at home in a village often get bored. It’s best for your mental health to find a hobby that brings you pleasure and excitement during these times. Besides, a hobby will put an end to your crave for city life.

Exercise

This is one of the best ways to pass your time in the countryside. You can go cycling, mountain biking, walking, running, swimming etc. As little as 20 minutes per day will boost your mood thanks to some special chemical substances called endorphins. Your body makes them when you exercise which is why it’s been proved that physical activity helps with depression and anxiety.

Besides, breathing in clean air is good for your overall health. In the countryside, air is more oxygenated and it’s not filled with pollutants. When you exercise you will breathe in more oxygen that will be then transported to your muscles, brain and all the other organs in your body. A well oxygenated organ is a healthy one.

Keep a diary

It is easy to lose focus and dwell on the negative when you have nothing to keep your mind busy with. You should take advantage of this time to clear your head instead of suppressing your emotions. Keep a diary where you write how you feel, what you are thankful about, what makes you hurt and how you could make things better. The very action of writing negative thoughts down will get them out of your head and onto the paper/laptop hard drive. This reduces anxiety and improves focus.

Start knitting

Don’t laugh! Young women and even men find a certain satisfaction in knitting. It’s relaxing and can be challenging at times. You put all the feelings of anxiety and all the stress into your work. Some people even compare it to a mediation session with the advantage that at the end you get something tangible, a blanket for example. Knitting improves focus and coordination while teaching you how to be patient.

Meditate

Meditation is meant to soothe the soul and calm the mind. Those who have busy lives might argue that they don’t have time to meditate. In fact, there is a saying attributed to Mahatma Gandhi (but who knows who said it first) that goes like this: you should meditate an hour every day unless you are very busy, in which case, you should meditate for 2 hours. Living in the countryside gives you the advantage to meditate in the middle of the nature while listening to actual birds instead of computer recording.

Volunteer

Volunteering is a great way to give back to the community and this is perhaps the best perk of living in a small town or village. Everybody knows everybody and you are supposed to get involved in community issues. You could volunteer at a soup kitchen or at the local youth center. It doesn’t really matter as long as the cause is important to you.