A craft can be a way to relax, relieve stress and express yourself creatively. Whether you’re knitting, making jewellery, innovating a design or painting or sculpting, the act of making can help you develop a deeper level of creativity. In turn, this can have a positive impact on your mental health and well-being.

As a result, there has been a rise in DIY crafts and arts that you can make at home. This has been made easier by the advent of smarter tools, CAD software and the internet. This has reduced the time it takes to take an idea from concept to prototype. Moreover, you can now find online resources and community support to help you get started with your project.

But the benefits of making don’t end there. In fact, if you are struggling with depression or anxiety, crafting can have some amazing effects on your mood and wellbeing. In fact, a study by ‘The Connection Between Art, Healing and Public Health’ found that people suffering from debilitating diseases such as dementia or Alzheimer’s saw improvements in their symptoms when they took part in creative activities.

This is because creating art helps stimulate the brain, reducing feelings of anxiety and depression while increasing happiness levels. Furthermore, engaging in a creative activity can also increase the sense of achievement and self-esteem. This can be especially true if you choose to give your homemade creation as a gift to someone else. This can also strengthen social bonds while delivering that feel-good factor.

It is important to note that not all crafts will have the same effect on everyone. It is therefore advisable to try a variety of crafts and see which ones work best for you. For instance, if you are having trouble sleeping, knitting can help you relax and fall asleep faster. If you are having issues with anxiety or depression, using colour therapy can be beneficial. This is because different colours have specific emotions associated with them and can be used to help improve your mood.

The great thing about DIY projects is that they can be as simple or complicated as you want them to be. So, whether you’re looking to create something with recycled materials or simply want to get back into the hobby of drawing and doodling, there is bound to be a craft out there for you. So grab your crafting supplies and start exploring. You never know, you might just discover a new passion. You could even turn old DVDs into wall hangings or repurpose your empty paper rolls into creative knick-knacks. The possibilities are endless! So what are you waiting for? Start creating today!