arts and crafts
Why craft?
There are numerous health benefits to crafting
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articipating in arts and crafts has many benefits for both the mind and the body. While there is no extensive research specifically on crafting yet, neuroscientists are beginning to see how studies on cognitive activities like crossword puzzles could also apply to complex quilting patterns.
Experts are touting the mental health benefits of the zen-like state that can be reached while painting or sewing. “When we are involved in [creativity], we feel that we are living more fully than during the rest of life,” says psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. “You know that what you need to do is possible to do, even though difficult, and sense of time disappears. You forget yourself. You feel part of something larger.” Improve your mood Whether you are by yourself, crafting with your significant other, or having a craft party, activating those creative juices can be a great mood enhancer. When you craft with other people, it can turn into a social
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affair. Even after you finish, the sense of pride you’ll have when people ask you about your piece will improve your mood. Boost your brainpower The focus required while crafting is an effective way of exercising the brain for people of all ages. There have been many studies done that connect crafting with the reduced chances of mental deterioration over time. Also, crafting activates areas of the brain that are not as active during the routine work you may be used to. When you start crafting, you have a certain target in your mind and there’s a certain outcome that you expect. The next step is using trial and error to figure out ways of achieving that final product. You learn from your mistakes; you know what you did wrong the first time which you’ll remember to bypass the next time. Your brain remembers these steps, invigorating your mental capacity and improving your ability to remember and retrieve information. Grow your support systems Crafting provides a unique social atmosphere where not only are you focusing on your craft, but you are also connecting with the people you are crafting with. Crafting promotes natural conversation through the pieces you are
creating and the questions and answers that come along with it. Being involved in crafts with others ensures you will have similar minds working with you. It will make you happier, and you’ll meet new creative people and make new friends. You will also learn from and share with others. Improve hand-eye co-ordination The physical movements that are required in crafting develop your hand-eye coordination, improving your spatial senses and making you mentally active and sharp. Whether you are working on a large woodworking project or a delicate dream catcher, careful hand-eye co-ordination is required. Modern lifestyles dictate that many of don’t get to use our hands and make something as often as we would like. Crafting gives us a way to use those hands for something else besides typing. We learn our hand-eye co-ordination early in life while crafting at nursery school, but these skills need to be maintained. Fight aging Crafting helps to keep the mind young through focus, meditation and improved visual-spatial co-ordination. The social aspect of doing crafts together improves your mental state and keeps your people skills up-to-date. Vol 101 - January 2017