Are you looking to unwind after a long, stressful day of work or wanting to start a new hobby? Well, look no further! Through this blog, we will cover the personal benefits of arts and crafts, as well as outlining five simple activities to incorporate creativity into your own routine.
Acting as an introduction and a guide to the world of creative hobbies, we offer inspiration to all levels of artists and hobbyists alike. No matter your skill set or tools, you too can create! Before diving into our list of ideas, here are the benefits of arts and crafts that one may experience…
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For most of our existence, art and other creative outlets have held an integral place in our lives. Though the reasons one may turn to artistic outlets vary, whether that be for expression or escapism and beyond, the personal benefits of maintaining a creative hobby are more than just surface level satisfaction.
When it comes to the benefits of arts and crafts, there are three key takeaways to highlight. These key takeaways include that arts and crafts:
When looking to detach from daily stressors, do you look to activities or hobbies for a sense of relief? Well, you are not alone in that! In recent years, select studies and online articles have indicated that participating in a creative hobby may improve your mental health and/or wellness.
According to the 2024 article “Making arts and crafts improves your mental health as much as having a job, scientists find” from CNN’s Riane Lumer, making arts and crafts can improve your mental health (Lumer, 2024).1 Lumer went on to say that, “Creating art reduces levels of cortisol, the body’s stress hormone, past research has shown” (Lumer, 2024).2 While creativity can look different from person to person, something as simple as doodling in a notebook can make all the difference.
An additional personal benefit of arts and crafts is that it allows you to detox from social media and/or technology. With the rise of “doomscrolling” and social media, as well as the growing dependence on our devices, the dopamine rushes associated with these outlets often lead to increased screen time and overall unhappiness.
Doomscrolling: to spend excessive time online scrolling through news or other content that makes one feel sad, anxious, angry, etc. (Merriam-Webster, 2023).3
By opting to take a break from technology and turning to a creative hobby, it lets one disconnect from these stressors and reconnect with their creative side. In our hustle and bustle culture, it is incredibly important to take the time for these breaks.
At its core, arts and crafts create a source of joy and self expression. For millennia, humans have looked to these creative outlets to better understand themselves and the world at large. This practice dates back to as early as 45,500 years ago, as per the 2021 article “World’s ‘oldest known cave painting’ found in Indonesia” from The Guardian’s Agence France-Presse (France-Presse, 2021).4
Through and through, art is a catalyst. A catalyst to experiment, to make mistakes, to make a statement, and so much more. Art is truly what you make of it.
Though trying something new can feel a bit daunting at times, it is important to try to go outside of your own comfort zone. Most hobbies are meant to help you to relax and unwind, so try to not take yourself so seriously. When it comes to creative hobbies in particular, keep these three pieces of advice in mind:
Arts and crafts is all about expressing yourself and having fun while doing it. Practice makes perfect, and that only comes with time. With that in mind, let us break down our five creative hobbies to try…
It can be a bit overwhelming to start any new hobby. From looking for interesting ideas to try, to tracking down the necessary materials and online tutorials, it takes a lot of time and effort. That is where we come in.
We have put together a sure-fire list of ideas for those looking to dabble in the world of arts and crafts, with all the essential information in one simple spot. In the meantime, consider dropping your arts and crafts recommendations here! Now, it is time to get those creative juices flowing…
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These types of activities and hobbies are an easy, effective way to incorporate creativity into your routine. From something as simple as an adult colouring book, there are endless ways to reconnect with your creative side.
If you are still questioning the worth in picking up a creative hobby, remember the three key takeaways from earlier:
At the end of day, it is all about creating something — something to soothe your soul, something to express your thoughts and feelings. That is what art is all about.
1 Lumer, R. (2024, September 20). Making arts and crafts improves your mental health as much as having a job, scientists find. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/15/health/arts-and-crafts-increase-mental-health-wellness
2 Lumer, R. (2024, September 20). Making arts and crafts improves your mental health as much as having a job, scientists find. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/15/health/arts-and-crafts-increase-mental-health-wellness
3 Merriam-Webster. (2023, September). Doomscroll definition & meaning. Merriam-Webster. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/doomscroll
4 France-Presse, A. (2021, January 13). World’s “oldest known cave painting” found in Indonesia. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/jan/13/worlds-oldest-known-cave-painting-fo und-in-indonesia
5 Michaels Stores [@michaels]. (2018, January 15). Pour Painting Technique | Michaels. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0q1SyrcYjI
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