There are more reasons than ever to love your glue gun and macrame – research has shown that creating isn’t just a pleasurable hobby, but good for you too. From boosting happiness and mental health to helping protect your brain from dementia, crafting has a lot of surprising benefits.

When you become completely engrossed in a craft, the distraction of it allows your mind to break away from daily worries and anxieties. This can help with concentration and focus, allowing you to achieve a state of meditation that can improve your mental clarity.

The act of making can also be extremely rewarding, especially if you are proud of the end result. The sense of accomplishment from a project can give you a much-needed confidence boost, which is especially important for people who suffer from low self-esteem or depression. Plus, making stimulates the release of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which helps improve mood and can even lower blood pressure.

A study on the psychological benefits of art and crafting showed that those who regularly engage in handmade creative activity report greater life satisfaction, increased self-worth and lower stress levels than those who do not. In addition to reducing the symptoms of anxiety and depression, crafting can also be a great social activity. Whether you join a craft group with friends or take part in a local art programme, being around like-minded individuals is an amazing feeling.

Besides improving concentration, making can be very therapeutic when it comes to dealing with depression or other mental illnesses. This is because it allows you to focus on something else other than your problems, which can help reduce the negativity surrounding them and make you feel better about the situation.

There are many different types of crafts you can try, so if one doesn’t work for you, don’t give up on it. Just keep trying and you might find that the next one is the perfect match for you.

Taking up a new craft can be intimidating, but you can start small by learning to knit or crochet. You can also try drawing or painting, which are relaxing and fun to do. You can also write a journal, which can be a great outlet for thoughts and feelings.

There are so many things you can make with unconventional materials, recycleds and trash, and your favorite nature crafts. This page is organized by material, so you can click on the category that best suits your interest to see ideas for that particular type of material. You can even challenge yourself to think outside the box – use this page as your prompt and come up with some cool creations you’d never have thought of before! Click on each image or title to learn more about the ideas and get step-by-step instructions. Then, you can share your creations with us by commenting below or on our Facebook page! We can’t wait to see what you make. Have a wonderful day!