Creative activities for my wellbeing

It’s more than just painting!

• Visual arts, design and craft
• Community and cultural festivals
• Online, digital and electronic arts
• Performing arts and music
• Literature and poetry
• Gardening or cooking for fun
• Heritage activities

You can be actively involved (creating) or receptively involved (attending, listening, viewing), and take part either alone or with others. There are greater benefits to wellbeing when taking part with others in creative or cultural activities such as at a club, group or community activity.

You may be creative at home, work, school, in libraries, community spaces, cultural centres and museums, places of worship, in nature – there are no limits! 

One-off sessions are a great introduction to try activities but evidence shows you gain greater wellbeing benefits from hobbies. Learning and improving at something provides a feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction when you progress. But remember that progression doesn’t need to be perfection – simple fun is the reward.

Being creative doesn’t have to be costly. Get started with a week’s worth of simple ideas to help you weave healthy habits into your daily routine – because a happier, healthier you starts with small, creative steps.

Monday:

Listen to some music that makes you feel good. Maybe some tunes to boost your energy, something to help you relax at the end of the day or to remind you of a happy event. Press play and notice how your mood may have changed at the end of the playlist. Why not make playlists to suit different moods?

Tuesday:

Photography using a smartphone or camera is a great way to capture happy moments or things that are special to you. Take a meaningful photo of something unusual that’s brought you joy or a small detail you’ve noticed for the first time. This can help bring fresh perspective to the everyday.

Wednesday:

Sing in the shower or wherever you feel comfortable. Pick a favourite song and join in. It’s great for your lungs, posture and mood. You can find many sing-along versions online with words provided.

Thursday:

Read for 20 minutes - a book, poem, short story, interesting blog, even a play. If you’re not already – register with your local library – it’s free and includes eAudiobooks too.

Friday:

Create with paper; a used envelope is fine. Sketch an everyday object, write a poem or draw how you’re feeling, or even fold it into an origami paper airplane and send it flying across the room! Try this calming circles drawing exercise or origami stars guide. Mind have a Crafternoon video playlist for simple crafty ideas.

Saturday:

Dance at your own kitchen disco. Turn the music up and move your body. You don’t need choreography – just let the rhythm guide you.

Sunday:

Cook something new, or if cooking isn’t your thing, consider growing your own herbs – cooking and gardening are both creative and proven to improve your mood and sense of accomplishment.

Gosport

Discover Gosport lists local arts, culture and heritage organisations. Gosport Discovery Centre and Bridgemary Library offer a range of crafty and creative social sessions and classes. Boost your mood by singing with friends at a local choir, such as Voicebox or Lowry Girls.

Learn a new skill such as printing, connect with others at a weekly craft session or writers group, uncover local heritage at the Gosport museum and gallery or listen to local history on local Walking Past heritage walking routes, rekindle your love of dance, or notice your local area differently through a lens with the Gosport camera club.

If you can’t find what you’re looking for, ask your local community centre or search online.

New Forest

Explore Culture in Common’s directory to discover local activities. Local libraries offer a range of classes and social sessions – see what’s on in Fordingbridge, Hythe, Lymington, New Milton, Ringwood, or Totton. Enjoy performances or take part in activities from dance to open mic at Forest Arts Centre.

Connect with others through a shared interest – photography, singing, drama, dance, woodcarving, preserving the heritage of the Forest or local airfields – the list goes on. Rekindle a childhood passion or discover a new one.

Join a Print and Stitch workshop at Lepe Country Park and discover how to create beautiful prints using inks and natural materials such as leaves, seaweed and grasses. Sessions run on the first Monday of each month (excluding bank holidays).

Not all opportunities in the local area are listed so if you’re interested in something specific, ask in your local community centre or search online.

Rushmoor

Explore Rushmoor Link's Arts, Culture and Heritage directory and social activities listings for local organisations.

Learn about military history at local museums including Aldershot Military Museum, aviation at the Air Sciences Trust or fitness at the Royal Army Physical Training Corps Museum.

Watch a performance or take part in activities at the West End Centre, from dance and music to pottery, they offer a variety of sessions.

Not all opportunities in the local area may be listed so if you’re interested in something specific, ask in your local library, community centre or search online.

Looking for somewhere else?

Other local area directories and information can be found at: Winchester area directory, Here for Hart directory, Basingstoke and Deane, Test Valley, Eastleigh, Fareham clubs and societies, Havant active wellbeing, East Hants community.

If your area isn’t listed, explore local activities on the Hampshire County Council events directory, or the Connect to Support Hampshire directory. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, see what’s on offer at your local library, community centre, or search online.

For those interested in heritage, history and culture:

Dive into Hampshire Cultural Trust’s online collection of unique historical objects.

Explore these virtual museum exhibitions to learn something new.

You can also explore Hampshire Archives to explore local history and communities.

For those interested in artwork:

Art UK offers free digital access to the UK’s national art collection. Explore over 700,000 artworks. Explore by theme, people, artists or stories.

Learn about the stories, history and meaning in artworks with BBC Culture.

For those wanting to create:

Find inspiration to get started with some simple Art at home – creative activities to support your wellbeing.

Print these free colouring for relaxation pages to enjoy a mindful moment.

The January Challenge offers 31 creative prompts you can use with friends or family so you can collectively create together.

For those who like music:

Place2Be’s Art Room have a range of activities, including a Wellbeing Playlist: Uplift, Calm and Connect activity, or Mindful listening activities to soothe your senses. Although designed with children in mind, they can be effective at any age.

For those who like singing:

Try out Reconnect: Wellbeing Singing videos from Opera North to help you reconnect your breath, body and voice.

For those who like to write:

Try these creative writing prompts to help you organise thoughts, process emotions or boost imagination.

For those who like to be outside:

Explore our Nature and Mental Wellbeing pages for ideas in nature.