The act of making, or creating something from scratch, has become a popular pastime for people looking to get off the grid and do things the old-fashioned way. In addition to being a fun activity that allows people to exercise their creativity, making also has many positive effects on mental health. It can be a great way to relieve stress, improve mood and increase cognitive abilities. Moreover, it can help in building self-esteem and promoting feelings of accomplishment. In addition, making can also be beneficial for the body by improving fine motor skills and releasing endorphins.

Creating from scratch can be as simple or complex as you want it to be. For example, if you are cooking from scratch, you can make anything from soup to bread to hummus using ingredients that are healthier, fresher and often cheaper than what you would find in stores. This can be a wonderful family or community project that is fun to do together and allows you to experiment with different flavors and ingredients.

In the more creative sphere, making can include painting, drawing, sculpting and sewing. Creating artwork can be an incredibly calming activity, as it can allow people to focus on one thing and let their minds wander while they are working on the piece. It can also be a good way to express emotions and connect with others in a non-verbal manner. Additionally, crafting can be a great form of therapy by helping alleviate depression, anxiety and even symptoms of dementia and Alzheimer’s.

The art of making has long been linked to mental health and wellbeing, with various studies showing that engaging in craft can promote a sense of accomplishment, self-esteem and cognitive ability. It can be particularly empowering for women, as it has been shown to promote psychological wellbeing and increased sense of belonging in young women. It can also provide a way of de-stressing and relaxing, which is especially important in today’s fast-paced world. Engaging in a craft can also help to improve mood and reduce the symptoms of depression, anxiety, loneliness and poor sleep. It can also provide a distraction from negative thoughts and situations and lead to improved concentration and focus.

The process of creating can also teach children that it’s okay to make mistakes, and that the most important thing is to enjoy the process of learning and being creative. It can also help them develop their problem-solving and critical thinking skills by encouraging them to think about the steps they need to take in order to complete a task. The process can also encourage a growth mindset as they learn how to overcome challenges and build on their successes. This can be particularly helpful for children with ADD/ADHD, as it can help to calm their hyperactivity and promote focus and concentration. It can also be a great way for them to practice mindfulness. It is well known that mindfulness can help in the reduction of stress and anxiety, as well as in improving sleep habits.