Mental Health Benefits of Making

Making is anything that you do with your hands – whether it’s baking a cake, sewing a dress or designing a macrame wall hanging. It’s not just for old ladies – young people are creating fashion DIYs on TikTok, upcycling old clothing and even carving wood!

Regardless of your age or skill level, creating art has been found to be extremely beneficial for mental health. It stimulates the brain and can boost productivity, increase social behaviour and improve psychological resilience. It also helps to strengthen the connectivity between the brain’s left and right hemispheres and can be used as a form of therapy.

When you create a piece of art, it releases dopamine which is associated with feelings of pleasure and reward. This is because the act of creating activates areas in the brain that are responsible for motivation, pleasure, memory and learning. It also boosts a sense of pride and accomplishment which can help you feel better about yourself.

The act of creating can also be very calming. This is because it distracts your mind from any worries that may be on your shoulders at the time. It is a great way to relieve stress, which can lead to sleepless nights and other negative side effects like headaches and digestive problems. It can also reduce the symptoms of depression. By focusing on something that you enjoy, you can distract yourself from feeling sad and help lift your mood.

Crafting can be done alone but you can also make it a social experience by going to crafting groups or workshops. This can be a good way to meet new people with a common interest. It can also promote conversation between strangers by admiring each other’s work or asking questions about techniques.

If you are prone to depression or low self-esteem, creating art can help to boost your confidence and improve your mood. It can also help to strengthen your bond with other people. You can even give some of your crafts away as gifts to others if you wish.

Whether you’re in need of a creative outlet, want to learn a new skill or just need some quality alone time – crafting is the perfect activity for you. With the many benefits that it has to offer, why not start crafting today? You never know, it could just change your life. If you’re interested in trying out some of these DIY projects, check out this list of the best DIY crafts for beginners. Whether you’re looking to take on some sewing, knitting, pottery or paper art, these ideas will have you well on your way to a happier, healthier you!