You know making cool stuff is a great way to pass the time, express your creativity — and even make a living. But a study cited by CNN confirms another huge benefit to crafting: Mental health! From CNN:
Crafting can help those who suffer from anxiety, depression or chronic pain, experts say. It may also ease stress, increase happiness and protect the brain from damage caused by aging.
Though there’s not a ton of research on the subject of crafting and your brain (why not? We’re not sure either), there have been multiple studies which link working with your hands in a creative way with feeling more positive.
Knitters, especially, seem to be cheerful folks; According to CNN, one study of over 3,500 knitters found that “81% of respondents with depression reported feeling happy after knitting. More than half reported feeling ‘very happy.'” Previous studies have found similar findings in those who do pottery, cross-stitch, and other work by hand.
"Crafting has also been shown to help fight dementia and aid in the treatment of PTSD, according to CNN " Hanna Brooks Olsen