Crafting and Mental Health
Let’s face it – 2020 has been a challenging year for everyone. COVID-19 has forced us to trade in nights out with friends for nights in with Zoom meetings. Now that many of us are confined to our homes, staying on top of our mental health has never been more important. With the days getting shorter and the winter rolling in, loneliness, anxiety and depression are real causes for concern.
Our dependence on technology has only increased this year. As useful as it is at keeping us connected during these isolating times, studies have shown that spending too much time scrolling through social media can increase the risk of anxiety, depression, body image issues and loneliness. Designed to connect us to one another, social media is ironically leaving us even more isolated and lonely than we were before.
Crafting is a great way to unplug, unwind and distract from these negative feelings. Several studies have shown that it can reduce anxiety and depression. Repetitive motions involved in crafting cause serotonin to be released in the brain, a hormone that results in calmness and happiness. The meditative quality of crafting is therapeutic and leaves you with a sense of wellbeing and overall contentment.
We’ve compiled a list below of the top three best crafting activities to clear your head, boost your mood and calm your nerves this winter.
1. Knitting
Knitting is not only a fun activity to do at home, but it also has amazing mental health benefits. It has been proven to reduce anxiety, depression, feelings of loneliness, and slow the beginning stages of dementia. A 2007 study by Harvard Medical School’s Mind and Body Institute even found that knitting can lower your heart rate by 11 beats per minute. And with Christmas just around the corner, knitting a cosy scarf or warm blanket is the perfect gift to give your loved ones!
2. Beading
If knitting isn’t your thing, why not give beading a go? Like knitting, beading involves repetitive motions with your fingers and serves to focus the mind and distract from other thoughts. Whether you’re beading a necklace, bracelet, or even a bookmark, you can expect to feel calmer and with a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction with your creation. You can also partner up with a friend or family member to make matching jewellery pieces!
3. Adult colouring books
Adult colouring books are another fantastic way to stimulate your creativity and keep your brain occupied. They have gained popularity in recent years as effective tools for practising mindfulness. Colouring in between the lines lends us a sense of control and its repetitive nature allows us to relax our thoughts and our minds. Available online and in most bookstores, adult colouring books also make great Christmas presents!
We are living through challenging times, but there are ways to make them a little bit more manageable. Disconnecting from technology and experimenting with crafts can help to relieve some of the stress, anxiety and feelings of loneliness that many of us are experiencing right now.
What craft will you choose to focus your energies on? Let us know in the comments below!