Life
Those who love to craft, no matter the medium, will often find themselves so entranced by the process that hours will go by and they won't even notice. This ability to zone out is a result of how crafting affects the brain. Whether it's knitting, coloring, pottery, woodworking, or some other activity, crafting has been shown to help people relax, reduce anxiety, improve emotional expression, and more.
Kristin Wilson, MA, a licensed professional counselor, tells Romper that her practice utilizes crafting and art therapy across all patient age groups, from children to grown adults, to help them work through a variety of situations. Similarly, Esther Saggurthi, LCPC, a primary clinician at Maryland House Detox, says she regularly "recommend[s] crafting projects to [her] patients, sometimes on a daily basis" because the physical, emotional, and mental benefits are insurmountable.
A 2013 study published in the British Journal of Occupational Therapists which surveyed more than 3,500 knitters found that the more often they engaged in the activity, the calmer and happier they felt in day-to-day life. This is part of the reason websites like Etsy and Pinterest quickly gained so much popularity, because they inspire people to start their next project, or even make a living by selling what they already love to create.
The overall enjoyment of crafting isn't entirely what drives people to do it, though. The benefits of the hobby go beyond a fun way to spend an afternoon.
4
Increases Focus
Saggurthi compares crafting's effects on a person to those of a fidget spinner. She says, "The idea behind [a fidget spinner] is to keep your hands busy so that your thoughts can be more focused" and crafting does something similar. When someone is engaged in a craft, Saggurthi says, "[Their] hands stay busy, but instead of the repetitive motion of the fidget spinner there are definitive challenges."
This increased focus contributes to brain health and cognitive ability as the body ages. A 2012 study published in The Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences surveyed more than 1,300 people between the ages of 70 and 89 years old, and found that those who regularly engaged in crafting activities were less likely to have mild cognitive impairment compared to those with different hobbies.
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Provides A Tangible Reminder Of Accomplishments
While art therapy is focused only on the process of making a product, Wilson says that crafting differs because it has an end-goal. That doesn't take away from its meaning, though, because the finished product is something the creator can physically see and touch, and illustrates their abilities.
Many participants in the knitting survey noted that their finished products represented their ability to cope with life's struggles. One person said that, for them, a completed project demonstrates that "[they] can accomplish something meaningful, even when [they] are in a lot of pain." Saggurthi says this is because "Crafting puts a person in the place of a creator, over their work of art," it gives them a sense of control (when life may otherwise feel out of control), and the finished product is "tangible evidence of what they can do."
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Aids In Emotional Expression
For people who struggle with verbally expressing their emotions, the process of crafting has been shown to help their brains sort those feelings out, handle them, and communicate them through art. "As patients become more adept at being able to express themselves, they will likely develop new ways to explain their art," Saggurthi explains, but they're actually developing new ways to express themselves and their feelings. "The art piece has become the vehicle to allow [emotional expression] to happen," she adds.
To some, crafting may seem like a frivolous hobby, but a carefully-made wreath, blanket, or vase is much more than a product to sell on Etsy. The way crafting affects the brain, and in turn someone's emotional, physical, and mental well-being, brings a deeper meaning to the activity. It's a way to escape the stress of life, cope with struggles, foster relationships, and develop emotional intelligence.
Studies:
Riley J, Corkhill B, Morris C (2013) "The benefits of knitting for personal and social wellbeing in adulthood: findings from an international survey." British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 76(2), 50-57. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.4276/030802213X13603244419077
Huotilainen, M., Rankanen, M., Groth, C., Seitamaa-Hakkarainen, P., & Mäkelä, M. (2018). "Why our brains love arts and crafts." FormAkademisk - forskningstidsskrift for design og designdidaktikk, 11(2). https://doi.org/10.7577/formakademisk.1908
Lewis, Robert A [corrected to Roberts, Lewis A] (2012) "Engaging in cognitive activities, aging, and mild cognitive impairment: a population-based study." The Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21677242
Experts:
Kristin Wilson, MA, LPC, Vice President of Clinical Outreach at Newport Academy
Esther Saggurthi, LCPC, NCC, MA (PCP), MA and Primary Clinician at Maryland House Detox, a Delphi Behavioral Health Group facility