The act of creating something with one’s hands is a powerful tool for self-expression, relaxation, and personal growth. Studies show that engaging in DIY crafting—like knitting, sewing, painting, woodworking, or crocheting—provides a host of psychological and health benefits, including boosting mental well-being, providing a sense of accomplishment, and even enhancing cognitive abilities.

When you’re making something, it forces you to slow down and focus on the task at hand, which can be very soothing in today’s fast-paced world. The repetition of a craft can also help you to clear your mind and quiet the chatter in your head, giving you a chance to be fully present, which is important for your physical and emotional wellbeing.

Creative activities provide a safe haven for mistake-making. Unlike other work-related tasks, you’re able to experiment with new techniques and tools without fear of judgement or failure. This can be a great life lesson, teaching you that it’s okay to make mistakes—and that sometimes those mistakes can lead to the best results!

In addition to the sense of accomplishment and pride that comes with completing a project, creating things with your hands can teach you valuable skills that you can use for the rest of your life. Learning a skill like knitting, cooking, or carpentry not only allows you to be more resourceful and make your own things, but it can also lead to future job opportunities.

It gives a sense of purpose and meaning to your life. When you’re creating something, it is uniquely yours and reflects your personality and interests. It also provides a way to connect with other people, which is especially important during pandemics as it can help you find social support and safety.

Creating art or crafts also helps with the grieving process. Whether it’s the loss of a loved one, a bad breakup, or losing your job, grief is a difficult time in everyone’s lives and finding a hobby that brings you comfort and joy can be very helpful.

If you’re interested in trying a new craft, there are plenty of resources available to you! YouTube has millions of tutorials for any kind of DIY project, and there are many Facebook groups or Reddit threads dedicated to helping you learn and practice. You could also join a local arts and crafts group to meet other people with the same interests, which can be great for finding a community in the face of uncertainty.