Whether you do it alone or with friends, crafting is more than just fun. It’s also good for you, mentally and physically. Creating something with your hands releases dopamine in the brain, which is associated with feelings of happiness and joy. It’s even been compared to meditation and has been shown to calm the mind. And it helps to alleviate depression and anxiety by promoting relaxation.

Studies have shown that people who enjoy arts and crafts are less likely to suffer from stress and depression. This is because when you do something creative, you focus your thoughts and are more in the present moment. The repetitive nature of some crafts, such as knitting, also has a calming effect.

Crafting can even help to alleviate insomnia, which is a leading cause of sleep disturbances. It has been found that the act of crocheting, knitting or sewing can produce the same calming and relaxing effects as meditation and yoga. Moreover, the patterned repetition of these crafts can reduce blood pressure and help with sleeping habits.

Another great benefit of making is that it builds a sense of community and friendships. Whether you attend a crafting class with your children or have a weekly craft night with friends, you get to interact and make new connections. This social aspect of making can be especially important if you live alone. It gives you the opportunity to have someone to talk to and can also help you to find support when times are tough.

While it may seem counterintuitive, the process of creating a product can actually teach kids how to deal with setbacks and failure. By allowing them to try and complete the task over and over again, they learn that it is okay to not come out perfect the first time around. Moreover, it teaches them to look at things from other perspectives and to be resourceful when problems arise.

In addition, when a child is engaged in a creative activity that requires them to follow instructions, they are forced to pay close attention to the steps involved and often times must read the instructions out loud. This is an excellent way to improve their reading skills while also boosting their confidence and self-esteem.

There are many more benefits of making that can be explored, but we hope this list will inspire you to get into the kitchen and start creating. The next time you sit down to dinner, think of all the work that went into it and be grateful for it. Moreover, try to keep the meal preparation an experience that you can all enjoy together. So, bring out the markers and get to work!