There is no better feeling than opening up a handmade gift from a friend or loved one. And not only is making a unique gift for someone special a fun way to spend time, it can also offer mental health benefits. According to research by art therapists, DIY activities like crafting and baking can help lower anxiety and stress levels, as well as boost moods.

The act of creating something from a blank canvas has a lot in common with the process of meditation. During these activities, you are fully immersed in the moment, focused solely on the task at hand, forgetting about everything else. It is thought that engaging in these activities encourages the release of dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter known to cause feelings of happiness and pleasure.

Not only is it a great way to express your creativity, but you can do this at any age or skill level. In fact, some people find these activities to be therapeutic and helpful in reducing depression, loneliness, and a lack of purpose.

When you engage in these creative activities, you are ignoring the stressful world around you. It is just you and your project, a kind of mindfulness that helps relieve feelings of distress and promotes a sense of self-worth and accomplishment.

In addition, these types of activities can help increase fine motor skills, particularly in children. Arts and crafts activities often involve repetitive movements, which can strengthen the muscles in the fingers, hands, and wrists. This, in turn, can improve the ability to write and perform other tasks that require fine motor control.

The act of making also helps to alleviate boredom. Having a hobby provides a break from the daily routine and allows you to engage in an activity that is fun, exciting, and challenging. This can be especially beneficial to those suffering from anhedonia, a condition that causes loss of interest in previously enjoyable activities.

Having a lack of motivation can be difficult to overcome, but a little bit of creativity and the joy of giving can change things for the better. So, next time you are stuck in a rut, pick up your glue gun and get to work! You’ll be glad you did.