Restorative Power of Arts and Crafts - Sally W.
Research this year has revealed that nearly one in four Canadians is stressed. Alongside regular counseling, art has been shown to alleviate stress. With creativity being a powerful tool for our emotional wellbeing, it is worth participating regularly in arts and/or crafts in order to look after our mental health. Doing so might be helpful when exploring triggers and solutions for particular moods. Here are a few activities to consider trying if you could do with a bit of emotional support.
Get into sewing
A study in the Journal of Public Health showed the positive effects of quilting on participants’ mental health. Whether it be putting together a patchwork quilt or sewing someone a piece of clothing, the impact on your morale can be extremely worthwhile. The good news is that it is never too late to start learning how to quilt. There is opportunities available for all newcomers to needlework. Engaging with a creative and challenging activity, as well as learning a new skill, gave participants in the study an enhanced morale boost. The positive impact of color was also significant. Finally, seeing the fruits of your labor at the end is of course inherently rewarding.
Sing your heart out
The health benefits of music are numerous. Music lowers your heart rate and blood pressure, helping to relieve anxiety in the process and release endorphins (the ‘happy hormones’). This is particularly true in the case of singing, the deep breathing during which helps to relax the mind and make you feel more relaxed. Singing in a choir, meanwhile, is thought to naturally boost people’s sense of belonging, as well as their overall state of mind. Whether singing on your own or as part of a group, it is worth trying to make singing a regular feature of your day-to-day life; the feel-good factor is powerful to say the least.
Try the creative craft of woodwork
It may come as a surprise to hear about the morale-boosting qualities of woodwork. Like music, working with natural wood can lower blood pressure and stress levels. Scientists believe that this is due to the relative warmth of wood and its link to nature. Nature has a positive impact on our mood, as well as on things like focus and memory. In this way, woodwork brings together creativity and nature, making for a powerful combination when it comes to our emotional wellbeing. What is more, just as with quilting, woodworking offers you the chance to learn a new skill and experience the reward of creating something with your own hands.
There are lots of ways to be creative
It is always worth considering help from a counselor or other trained professional if you are experiencing sustained levels of stress. In addition to this, though, carving out time for yourself to be creative could have a significantly positive impact. Whether it be any of the activities listed above or others that you personally feel drawn to, having that outlet in which to express yourself could give you the vital boost you need.
Get into sewing
A study in the Journal of Public Health showed the positive effects of quilting on participants’ mental health. Whether it be putting together a patchwork quilt or sewing someone a piece of clothing, the impact on your morale can be extremely worthwhile. The good news is that it is never too late to start learning how to quilt. There is opportunities available for all newcomers to needlework. Engaging with a creative and challenging activity, as well as learning a new skill, gave participants in the study an enhanced morale boost. The positive impact of color was also significant. Finally, seeing the fruits of your labor at the end is of course inherently rewarding.
Sing your heart out
The health benefits of music are numerous. Music lowers your heart rate and blood pressure, helping to relieve anxiety in the process and release endorphins (the ‘happy hormones’). This is particularly true in the case of singing, the deep breathing during which helps to relax the mind and make you feel more relaxed. Singing in a choir, meanwhile, is thought to naturally boost people’s sense of belonging, as well as their overall state of mind. Whether singing on your own or as part of a group, it is worth trying to make singing a regular feature of your day-to-day life; the feel-good factor is powerful to say the least.
Try the creative craft of woodwork
It may come as a surprise to hear about the morale-boosting qualities of woodwork. Like music, working with natural wood can lower blood pressure and stress levels. Scientists believe that this is due to the relative warmth of wood and its link to nature. Nature has a positive impact on our mood, as well as on things like focus and memory. In this way, woodwork brings together creativity and nature, making for a powerful combination when it comes to our emotional wellbeing. What is more, just as with quilting, woodworking offers you the chance to learn a new skill and experience the reward of creating something with your own hands.
There are lots of ways to be creative
It is always worth considering help from a counselor or other trained professional if you are experiencing sustained levels of stress. In addition to this, though, carving out time for yourself to be creative could have a significantly positive impact. Whether it be any of the activities listed above or others that you personally feel drawn to, having that outlet in which to express yourself could give you the vital boost you need.
