Making has become a popular pastime and, with more and more research showing the positive impact that creative activity can have on wellbeing, it’s no wonder. From knitting to drawing, sewing to gardening, creating can be therapeutic in ways that medication cannot.

Studies have shown that crafting helps alleviate anxiety, depression and loneliness, reduces stress and boosts self-esteem, and may even prevent memory loss and dementia. Textile crafts (such as knitting, embroidery and crocheting) have some of the highest participation rates in terms of arts and crafts activities – higher than both painting and music – which shows the huge potential impact that this particular genre of making can have.

The act of engaging with craft, like sewing, can help to relieve symptoms of mental health issues such as anxiety and depression by allowing us to escape into our own world, creating a meditative state of ‘flow’ where worries are temporarily forgotten. It also allows you to use your mind in a different way, helping you to focus and concentrate, which in turn can increase your self-esteem.

Getting stuck into a new project and seeing the end result can be very satisfying, especially when you show it to others. This can be a great social activity, whether you’re part of a cropping group, knitting circle or art guild and many crafters also choose to do this alongside friends and family, which can strengthen relationships. You can even take this a step further by baking cakes, decorating home-made cards and so on – the list of things you can make from scratch is endless.

It’s also a great way to save money and reduce your food waste by repurposing leftover vegetables and herbs. This is especially true if you’re using vegetables that are a little past their best, which can still be cooked into delicious homemade stock and soups that can really boost your immune system and add flavour to your meals without having to rely on salt.

Choosing colours is another important aspect of the process, as different shades can create a mood and evoke certain feelings – for example blues and purples are known to calm and relax, while bright, warm colours such as red and yellow are more stimulating. Similarly, selecting fabrics can be important as textures and weights can impact on how you feel about something, with heavier materials being more calming than floaty, soft materials. Choosing the right fabric can really affect how you feel when you touch it, and therefore what you think of the finished product.