Many of us know by now that mindfulness is a pretty wonderful thing. It can reduce stress and anxiety and generally help our mental wellness. According to Headspace:
“Mindfulness is the idea of learning how to be fully present and engaged in the moment, aware of your thoughts and feelings without distraction or judgment.”
Research from the British Journal of Occupational Therapy suggests that craft activities, when done on a regular basis can improve mood and increase feelings of relaxation.
This is how My Handmade Christmas actually came about – what a year 2020 was for EVERYONE! Both my daughter and I were really struggling with our mental health and we turned to crafting together to pass the time during lockdowns. Crafting is such a great way to help your mind “switch off” and escape from the everyday. Concentrating on the task in hand lets your mind focus on that and stop overthinking, even just for a little while it’s a chance to be more mindful. The worries and stresses that life can impose on us are washed away, along with the overthinking and fear. Certainly for us anyway. Our boxes would be great to do as a project with a loved one or a friend, or just to give yourself some time that you so deserve to switch off from the world for a bit.
Sometimes, focusing on something external can help us internally. We know carving out time for yourself can be difficult, with the demand of everything else in life. Having a dedicated activity to turn to can not only help you prioritise ‘you time’ (and make you excited about it), it can help you switch off from modern-day stressors (yes, we’re looking at you Facebook!).
If this sounds like something you’re keen to try, we’ve got you covered – whether you’re a crafting newbie looking to try something different, or a dab hand with a craft knife, you officially have permission to get creative more often. Trust us, your mind will thank you for it.
