If you’ve ever made a cake, painted a picture or even knitted a scarf, you know how good it feels to make something with your own two hands. It’s not only fun, but it also relieves stress, improves mental health and can boost self-esteem. Craft is one of the most therapeutic forms of creative expression, and its benefits are even more profound when done with a group of friends or a community.

The act of making is an ancient and multifaceted process that includes construction, design, composition, manufacture, production and transformation. It is an integral part of the human experience and has been a major form of creativity throughout history, often as an outlet for emotions. It has the power to transform lives and create new possibilities. In fact, it can even save them.

There are many ways to get into making, but there is no better place to start than with your own imagination. From upcycling everyday objects to creating art on a piece of paper, anything is possible. And the best thing about making is that you can do it alone or with friends, from your home or a public space. It doesn’t matter if you are the best or the worst at making, what matters is that you enjoy the process and find joy in your creations.

Creativity is the ultimate form of self-expression. The feeling of accomplishment and pride you get when you finish a project and look at your finished work is unparalleled. And the positive effects of crafting on your mental health are equally as impressive. Studies have shown that it can help to reduce stress levels, improve sleep quality and alleviate feelings of anxiety and depression.

In particular, textile crafts like embroidery, crochet and knitting have the highest participation rates of all the arts – even higher than music and painting! They are especially beneficial for those who are suffering from depression or anxiety because they provide a way to channel negative emotions into a productive, calming activity.

The repetitive nature of crafts can help to reduce the amount of time it takes you to fall asleep at night. And it can also be a great way to soothe premenstrual symptoms and ease menstrual pain. It’s no wonder that crafting is a favourite pastime of women across the world!

Aside from being a great way to express yourself, making can also be a fun family activity. From painting with children to making rainbow sgraffito, the list of things you can do is endless. You can even use balloons to make beautiful and colourful crafts! You just need a few basic supplies, such as crayons and something to scratch with (toothpicks or kitchen skewers are perfect). So grab the kids and try out some of these making activities. You won’t regret it!