Making is about creating something new. It’s about learning to see the potential in raw materials and bringing them to life. It’s about building a skill set that can be used for personal enjoyment or turned into a new source of income. It’s about pushing out of your comfort zone to try something that challenges you.

The art of crafting is a powerful tool that can have a positive impact on mental health. It is a form of therapy that has been proven to reduce stress and anxiety, promote happiness, and even slow down dementia onset. Studies show that a creative activity can also improve mood, boost self-esteem, and lead to a greater sense of accomplishment. It is no wonder that so many people have taken up a hobby like knitting, sewing, woodworking, or painting.

When engaging in the act of making, it has been found that those who are involved in a craft or DIY project become fully immersed and their thoughts focus solely on the task at hand. This has been compared to meditation, as the repetitive nature of some crafts such as knitting or beading lulls the mind. When you are engaged in a project, your worries and concerns are put on hold, and you can enjoy the feeling of accomplishment when you have finished the work.

Everyone who has ever engaged in a hobby or created something with their hands has experienced this phenomenon. It’s what you feel after a day in the lab when you have brought a new experiment to fruition, or after working with clay to create an original sculpture. There is no other feeling quite like it. It is a calming and meditative process that brings an end to the chaos of daily life.

The benefits of making go far beyond simply reducing stress and anxiety. It can be a way to reconnect with yourself and find joy in everyday tasks that we often take for granted. The beauty of making is that it can be done in many ways — from baking cookies to growing tomatoes, and everything in between. But it is important to remember that not all activities that fall under the category of making are created equal. While chopping veggies may help you reach flow, it is not as relaxing as baking a banana pie. For this reason, we want to emphasize the difference between doing a chore and doing something you love and that makes you happy. In short, there is a big difference between hurriedly preparing dinner after a long day in the lab and savoring the moment of creating a homemade banana bread. We want to encourage you to make time in your busy schedule for the things that make you happy. You never know, you might just find yourself addicted to the feeling of making! For more inspiration, check out Gathered’s collection of easy crafting projects for kids and adults. You can get started by trying out the simple pipe cleaner craft ideas that you can use to make a variety of fun animals.