A scrapbook with a candle, plant and some glasses nearby

Crafting is a popular activity that has been going on for centuries, and spans all sorts of endeavours like knitting, sewing, painting, cardmaking and so much more.

Whilst most people do this to pass the time as a creative outlet, it has been proven to be more than just a hobby, and in fact can have a positive impact on your overall mental health and wellbeing.

It's been proven in studies that having a creative outlet of some sort can do wonders for your mind; it can help with stress, reduce anxiety and even improve your cognitive capabilities!

Mindfulness

Mindfulness is the practise of being in the moment and allowing yourself to fully be and feel present and in the moment with any judgement or distraction.

Immersing yourself in your crafting requires the same level of focus and concentration, and so can have similar benefits to your mental health that mindfulness does.

It can be a moment for you to switch off from the every day struggles of reality, forget about any of your current worries and just be completely switched on to your crafting - which can be a very happy and free place to be.

Knitting needles with work in progress started in navy

We do have a fantastic grown up's colouring in book that can help you unwind: Mental Health UK Colouring Book - 'Colour Yourself Calm'

Emotional Healing

Your mental health can really benefit from a bit of crafting, as it can allow you to just completely express your emotions and feeling son a deeper level, and let you explore that part of your self-awareness.

Through crafting, you can get in touch with feelings that may otherwise be quite hard to express, which can provide a healthy outlet.

Stepping away from your problems completely like this when you craft can be really beneficial sometimes, as it allows you to come back with a fresh perspective on your problems, which may not be as negative as it was before.

Justine Hovey with blending sponges crafting

Improved Cognitive Function

Crafting stimulates various parts of the brain, which can help to train your brain and improve its ability.

For example, repetitive activities such as knitting or crocheting involve fairly complicated patterns and sequences, and so this can help to improve your memory and problem solving skills.

It has also been proven that stimulated creative thinking can help your every day mental agility in general, as well as your coordination and motor skills.

Sense of Accomplishment

There's nothing quite like the feeling of accomplishment that comes from completing a craft project - whether it's a full knitted jumper, or a simple greetings card.

This feeling of achievement can boost your self esteem, and provide a tangible reminder of your own capabilities to finish a project from start to finish.

The satisfaction that you feel when you finish your craft project is really quite profound - often crafters create blogs, social media accounts or website to show off their makes, and to look back at what they have achieved over the years.

Bee themed handmade 'Just For You' card

A feeling that might just top this is the feeling one gets when they gift their make to a loved one! More often than not, crafters gift their creations when they finish a project - most common in papercrafting and cardmaking, where creations are usually sentimental and purposeful.

The sense of satisfaction when you finish a project is such a great dopamine hit, that once finished you just want to share that feeling with others, and that comes in the form of gifting.

Personal Sanctuary

Crafting can, sometimes most importantly, offer a safe personal space for oneself to retreat from the busyness of everyday life, unwind after a long day, recharge your social batteries and just check in on yourself.

This 'me time' is so important to have, whether it's in your crafting, painting your nails, reading a book or going for walks, and you'll find that when you go a long time without it, you start to crave and need it.

So, whether you're picking up your paintbrush scissors or needles, don't forget to make time for your favourite crafts every now and then and really let yourself get lost in the moment - you're benefitting from it more than you think.

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daniel

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