Being creative and making things is good for your wellbeing – it makes you feel happier and calmer. But did you know crafting can be therapeutic and beneficial for your overall health? Science says so. Several studies have shown that engaging in creative activities positively affects people, working as a stress buster and helping you stay fully present in the moment.
Moreover, crafting can boost your self-esteem – and this sense of efficacy is critical in how you approach life challenges. And perhaps one of the best things about this art is that it can also delay dementia by keeping your brain active. Isn’t it fascinating?
If you haven’t yet considered immersing yourself in this magnificent art, it’s time to do so. Here are the numerous health benefits of crafting:
It reduces stress
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Everyone experiences stress at certain points in their lives, but stress can be detrimental to your health when it takes over you. It can cause migraines, fatigue, early memory loss and even heart failure. Reducing stress means reducing the risk of developing illnesses. Luckily, there are several ways to do it, and crafting is one.
Studies have found that drawing, music, reading, crafts and art stimulate the neurological system and improve your health and wellbeing. Crafting doesn’t only keep stress away – it can also benefit people dealing with mental health conditions such as PTSD. For instance, taking craft classes like pottery can have a therapeutic effect on ex-soldiers who experience PTSD symptoms.
It helps relieve anxiety and depression
Depression and anxiety are common mental health issues that many people worldwide experience. Obviously, crafting won’t cure those disorders, but it indeed provides relief from the symptoms. When struggling with depression and anxiety, finding the right words to describe your pain can often feel like an impossible task. But art is an excellent way to express yourself, and using your hands to paint, knit, or design can help you say what’s on your mind.
Plus, it allows you to take a break from those overwhelming feelings and thoughts. As you focus on the activity, you disconnect from the outside world for a while, and there’s only you and your art. Immersing yourself in a creative activity also helps you achieve mindfulness, making you feel that you’re living more fully in that moment than during other days. This benefits your mental health, as it activates parts of the cortex, which play a role in regulating emotions.
It improves sleep
Crafting can also help you sleep better without tossing and turning during the night. The repetitive nature of this art can calm your body and brain before bedtime. Dealing with insomnia is challenging – not falling asleep even if you’re tired can be frustrating.
Luckily, crafts can help! Focusing on a soothing, easy knit project is an excellent way to unwind before bed. So, if you have difficulty falling asleep, watch a YouTube tutorial and start doing some crafts. You don’t even need a lot of supplies – for instance, you can use a satin ribbon. And there’s so much you can do with it! You will become more relaxed and soon find yourself tired and prepared for a more peaceful sleep as you work on your craft.
It decreases the risk of cognitive impairment
Crafting doesn’t only benefit your mental health – it also keeps your brain healthy. Multiple scientific evidence supports this idea; skilled handiwork has significant social and cognitive benefits and can trigger memories for people with dementia. Around 55 million people worldwide live with this debilitating condition, and it’s predicted that the numbers will grow in the future. Neuroscientists once believed that the brain is a static organ. Still, recent studies have found that the brain is flexible and adapts to the environment – and this is true even for seniors.
According to studies, intellectually stimulating activities like learning a language can delay dementia and prevent cerebral atrophy.
Crafting is unique because it involves many parts of your brain, including problem-solving abilities, visuospatial processing and the creative side. Research has found that activities such as reading a book, playing games and crafting can help reduce the risks of mild cognitive impairment by up to 50%.
It helps you process grief
Experiencing loss can be overwhelming, but unfortunately, no one can escape it. During periods of intense grief, it may seem like you’ll never get better again. While there’s no general rule on processing grief, evidence has shown that crafting can help some people get through the process. It’s a form of self-care, allowing you to rediscover your creativity.
Knitting and crochet can be very comforting during this time, and these activities don’t require a lot of effort or money. They can help you forget for a while about your suffering and get you one step closer to healing from your loss.
It improves your social life
Regardless of the life stage they’re at, everyone can feel isolated sometimes. Crafting provides social support by bringing people together. Having a support network can be beneficial for any health issue, and you can build friendships by joining a craft club.
If you struggle with anxiety or depression, going to such a place can help you gain a sense of belonging, which is vital for coping with the symptoms of the disorders.
It enhances your self-esteem
Low self-esteem affects individuals of all genders and ages. Unfortunately, lacking confidence negatively impacts your mental health, so it’s critical to find ways to boost your self-esteem. According to this study, self-esteem improves throughout life until age 60, and after a decade, it declines.
Getting involved in a creative project can boost your self-esteem, as the results prove that you can achieve amazing things. A common sign of low self-esteem is believing one can’t do or achieve something, and crafting can help counteract this issue.
It helps you regain dexterity
Here is more scientific evidence that crafting benefits your health – according to research, crafting can also benefit individuals who suffer a stroke by helping them regain dexterity in their fingers and hands.
A study conducted by a social anthropologist examined how basked weaving can help stroke patients. The conclusion was that basketwork could trigger hand memories for individuals who had trouble with hand mobility. It is astonishing how a simple yet enchanting art like crafting has massive health benefits.
