7 Ways Crafting Can Improve Your Health

Having a hobby is a great stress relief, and crafting is a pastime enjoyed by millions across the globe. Did you know hobbies can also help with depression and general mood lift? 

For this and other reasons, crafting can be extremely healthy for you. Many people report feeling better after crafting. To see how sitting at a sewing machine or grabbing knitting needles can benefit you, read on! 

1. Builds Self Esteem 

Visualizing, planning, and bringing a project to fruition is excellent for your self-esteem. It produces a sense of pride and accomplishment. 

2. Helps Relieve and Reduce Anxiety and Depression 

An expanding body of literature links crafting (especially crocheting and knitting) to lower levels of anxiety and depression. The repetitive motion (or the soothing tones of a sewing machine) has been shown to relieve the natural antidepressant serotonin. In addition, doing something you enjoy can lift your mood and reduce your stress.

3. Lower Stress 

Stress is one of the leading health problems in the country, with effects that include fatigue, migraines, heart failure, and early cognitive decline. Crafting, especially knitting, stitching, or crocheting, can serve as meditation and reduce stress. 

Lower levels of stress can reduce your risk of certain diseases and make you feel better. Sit down at a sewing machine and see for yourself!

4. Helps with Insomnia

Insomnia is horrible and frustrating! However, the repetitive motion of some crafts, like knitting or crocheting, has been shown to help your mind wind down enough to fall asleep. It’s so effective that many people report not needing medication to sleep after trying it. 

5. Wards Off Cognitive Impairment as You Age

Knitting and crocheting have been shown to stave off memory loss associated with getting older. A researcher at the Mayo Clinic found that knitting is “neuroprotective” and may reduce dementia by up to 50%. 

6. Builds Friendships and a Sense of Community 

Crafting doesn’t have to be a solo hobby. In fact, whatever your preferred craft(s), there’s a community of people like you out there, whether online or in your local community. Having friends and being involved with the community can reduce negative moods and decrease stress. 

7. Reduces Irritability and Restlessness 

Having a craft to work on can make you less irritable. It can also help you from feeling restless, frustrated, bored, or even grumpy! Having a craft hobby is a positive outlet that will lift your mood, make you feel productive, and help you find balance in your life. 

As you can see, crafting is not only fun. There are definite health benefits, especially for your mind! GoldStar Tool has tools and supplies to help with your crafting projects in your journey to happiness.