Collecting as therapy for mental and stress issues
 

How does your collecting helps you cope with stress or any mental issues? Living in the times we as people live, is important to seek alternatives to enjoying live and coping with the world we live in. How does it relive your pains or how do you take your mind off enjoying this simple hobby of collecting? Does anyone see results from this as a alternative?

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I've definitely used hobbies as a way of taking my mind off of real world things that are out of my hands. Hobbies make for great distractions.

This is definitely true for me. My job is killing me right now and I have huge anxiety issues. I'm actually thinking about quitting it has gotten so bad. I have just gotten back into the hobby the last yesr or so after a thirty year break and it has been a positive distraction.

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I got back into collecting after having some stressful issues in my life years ago. I was told to find something to keep me occupied and happy while dealing with my problems. That brought me back in the hobby.. and fell in love with it all over again. It really did work and the hobby had me looking forward to something while going through horrible things. Luckily, the problems went away.. and I’m still collecting. That is my story :)

I started collecting in 2017 while in the middle of a pretty serious bout with depression. It has definitely helped to occupy my mind when I need it, and it’s nice to have something like new releases to look forward to. Not everything is perfect, but the hobby has made it easier.

[QUOTE=REGGIE206;16965222]I got back into collecting after having some stressful issues in my life years ago. I was told to find something to keep me occupied and happy while dealing with my problems. That brought be back in the hobby.. and fell in love with it all over again. It really did work and the hobby had me looking forward to something while going through horrible things. Luckily, the problems went away.. and I’m still collecting. That is my story :)[/QUOTE]

im glad youre here Reggie!

[QUOTE=steevyniu;16965218]This is definitely true for me. My job is killing me right now and I have huge anxiety issues. I'm actually thinking about quitting it has gotten so bad. I have just gotten back into the hobby the last yesr or so after a thirty year break and it has been a positive distraction.

Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk[/QUOTE]I honestly just did this...was in law enforcement for the past 11 years. The anxiety of doing my job correctly and possibly being fired or arrested for it was alot to shoulder.

I left work in August and started a new career. My wife was behind me 100%, we moved out of the City to the country. I make half the money, but my expenses are a third! I actually dont need at least 2 drinks to fall asleep anymore as my anxiety is almost gone!

Hobbies are what kept me sane for the past 5 years (when my job started changing). Having that place in your head to take you away from the insanity of life...that's what collecting cardboard with men on it is all about!

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I got back into collecting sports cards heavily a little over a year ago. It has been great to keep me busy and occupied. I went through a breakup with girl early last year that I was planning on marrying and collecting has really helped me stay focused on other things especially during all the quarantine time this past year alone at home. I started a YouTube channel to break packs which also helped give me some motivation and something to work on.

[QUOTE=AcunaCollector;16965074]How does your collecting helps you cope with stress or any mental issues? Living in the times we as people live, is important to seek alternatives to enjoying live and coping with the world we live in. How does it relive your pains or how do you take your mind off enjoying this simple hobby of collecting? Does anyone see results from this as a alternative?

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Yes, absolutely. I read this page throughout the day to destress....though, when I think about selling my US175 a couple years ago and see the prices now I am MORE stressed.....but then I take a deep breath and let it go.

Sometimes any kind of distraction is very valuable.

Poopnini affects my mental well-being negatively. Avoiding it helps.

[QUOTE=ThoseBackPages;16965246]im glad youre here Reggie![/QUOTE]

Thanks, Eric! I’m definitely glad you’re here too. :)!

As crazy as it sounds, sorting massive stacks of base has always been a cathartic, stress-relieving activity for me.

It’s too bad I can’t afford to buy overpriced wax anymore.

I too have a tough job that hasn't been going particularly well lately and my 18 months back in the hobby has basically saved my sanity.

A wonderful distraction.

Have PTSD and had no hobby or interests outside of work for more than a decade. Therapist encouraged it when I brought it up as an interest from my childhood. A few hours at card shops a month and talking here and on reddit has been very helpful

For me its a stress reliever & a stress inducer. I get stressed when I cant afford these priced unless I sell one of my gems.
But listing cards can be therapeutic when im in the zone.

[QUOTE=Eric1285;16965206]I've definitely used hobbies as a way of taking my mind off of real world things that are out of my hands. Hobbies make for great distractions.[/QUOTE]

This....hobbies are what enable you to escape from the realities of day-to-day life and have some fun.

I'm sure that if I didn't collect sports cards, I would be less happy and have much higher stress levels...

Same with my other hobbies....reading, playing chess, photography, gardening, etc.

[QUOTE=REGGIE206;16965222]I got back into collecting after having some stressful issues in my life years ago. I was told to find something to keep me occupied and happy while dealing with my problems. That brought be back in the hobby.. and fell in love with it all over again. It really did work and the hobby had me looking forward to something while going through horrible things. Luckily, the problems went away.. and I’m still collecting. That is my story :)[/QUOTE]Blessings bud, thanks for sharing!

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I endorse any hobby, but cards and comics both work for me. Most hobbies have great communities if nothing else. I spent the night in the hospital with what luckily wasn't covid(took multiple negative tests for them to believe it) this week. Reading through blowout and ebay surfing definitely kept me calm in a way that was necessary in isolation(I can't imagine those spending days and weeks in isolation).

[QUOTE=RookerCollector;16965244]I started collecting in 2017 while in the middle of a pretty serious bout with depression. It has definitely helped to occupy my mind when I need it, and it’s nice to have something like new releases to look forward to. Not everything is perfect, but the hobby has made it easier.[/QUOTE]Amen to that! Blessings

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[QUOTE=EldoEsq;16965249]I honestly just did this...was in law enforcement for the past 11 years. The anxiety of doing my job correctly and possibly being fired or arrested for it was alot to shoulder.

I left work in August and started a new career. My wife was behind me 100%, we moved out of the City to the country. I make half the money, but my expenses are a third! I actually dont need at least 2 drinks to fall asleep anymore as my anxiety is almost gone!

Hobbies are what kept me sane for the past 5 years (when my job started changing). Having that place in your head to take you away from the insanity of life...that's what collecting cardboard with men on it is all about!

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk[/QUOTE]I am in the same boat as you buddy, my job was very stressful been a manager for a big company in Texas, hardly coldnt find any me time doing it also the stress of dealing with over 100 employees took me to a danger zone, changed my career path and I do feel much better. Blessings for you buddy!

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[QUOTE=jetcollectibles;16965253]I got back into collecting sports cards heavily a little over a year ago. It has been great to keep me busy and occupied. I went through a breakup with girl early last year that I was planning on marrying and collecting has really helped me stay focused on other things especially during all the quarantine time this past year alone at home. I started a YouTube channel to break packs which also helped give me some motivation and something to work on.[/QUOTE]Glad to hear that you are doing better, hope you do well with your youtube venture! Blessings!

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[QUOTE=7nohitter;16965256]Yes, absolutely. I read this page throughout the day to destress....though, when I think about selling my US175 a couple years ago and see the prices now I am MORE stressed.....but then I take a deep breath and let it go.[/QUOTE]I guess it has happend to all of us, keep it up I know you will get another big investment some day. Blessings

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[QUOTE=seanbros55;16965305]As crazy as it sounds, sorting massive stacks of base has always been a cathartic, stress-relieving activity for me.

It’s too bad I can’t afford to buy overpriced wax anymore.[/QUOTE]I hear you, it is my putting my mind in blank moments enjoying sorting my cards out too! Blessings

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I loved the hobby for close to 25 years. I was a collector only for most of that time. The last year or so it has made me more miserable than I could have ever imagined. I want to stop but it’s too much potential money to quit.