Art and Craft a very healthy option indeed.

As children, we all had crafted as an extracurricular activity in school. Some of us must have enjoyed the classes thoroughly, while some others might have just hated it, and finished it as a boring and irritating task imposed. 

For some, arts and crafts are enjoyment, while for some others, it’s just a waste of valuable time. Whatever one’s perspective is, art forms and crafts do have innumerable benefits for body and soul.  

As we say so, let us take a look at what are some of the health benefits of crafting and why you should do it.

Reduces stress

When one is stressed, one may just take up a skill or a craft, and start doing it lightly, without taking much stress of attaining perfection at it. Gradually, the skill develops, and one excels at the skill, one day. As they say, “Practice makes a man perfect!”

 

Lowers the risk of depression

When one feels upset about anything, instead of over-thinking about the issue, one may simply take up a craft and keep oneself busy for some time. This reduces the risk of one falling prey to depression, and being at the risk of getting lost emotionally and mentally, and ultimately suffering physically, too. 

 

Helps combat depression

If one is already suffering from depression or has been detected as depressed, one may choose a craft or a skill to help oneself get over the unpleasant and difficult phase of life. Even therapists may help their patients choose an art or craft form of their choice to combat depression that has already set in. Time acts as the solution and helps one spend time in a productive manner.

 

Assists body to stay mobile

As one gives physical exercise to one’s body during practicing or pursuing a craft, one attempts to stay mobile and flexible, and healthy.

 

Helps in maintaining the motor skills

As one begins to age, motor skills, especially the movements of hands and fingers begin to get affected, and one starts feeling less energetic and enthusiastic. Pursuing some form of art or craft,

however, helps one to maintain the levels of motor skills at least till old age, and many times, even beyond early old age.  

 

Reduces restlessness and anxiety

Restlessness or anxiety is not paid much attention to, since it is not considered much as an illness or a disturbed state of mind. It, however, needs to be addressed at an early stage, and also found a cure for, if it is not to reach higher levels.   

 

Help raise self-esteem

Being productive and constructive, being able to excel at something helps an individual raise his or her self-esteem, and gives a sense of achievement.

 

Boosts morale

If one is upset with oneself thinking that one is not able to achieve anything big in life, crafts help one understand that a small step at a time leads to a big success in the future. A small success at any craft may be a big booster for one’s morale and can bring one’s lost confidence back.

 

A healthy and constructive break from work

If one is working constantly for too long, the task becomes monotonous and tedious, and one tends to get distracted or lose interest in the activity. A healthy pastime could be pursuing a hobby, say art or craft, which is constructive in nature.    

 

Relaxed mind and body

A form of art or craft pursued passionately relaxes mind and body and makes one refreshed.

 

Helps tackle insomnia

If one is into the habit of sleeping for a period of time too less because of a disorder known as insomnia (inability to sleep), one may just switch to a form of art or craft instead of trying to force oneself to sleep.

 

Community build-up

When arts or crafts are pursued in a group, there is a sense of belonging to the group. Each one of the group or team tries to do his or her best to play one’s part perfectly so as to contribute to a greater cause or success.  

 

A hobby can turn into a profession

One might get so interested in pursuing a hobby that it might become a dream of living in the long run. A craft form, if excelled at, may become a profession, a source of income, and inspiration for a lifetime for an individual.  

Various types of crafts:

• Knitting, weaving, crocheting, stitching
• Embroidery
• Origami
• Quilling
• Pottery
• Engraving or embossing on pots and vases
• Eggshell carving  
• Metal carving
• Embossing or engraving on wood
• Flower crafts
• Paper crafts, etc.