Taking care of your mental health is important, especially whilst social distancing. Isolation can cause anxiety, depression and various other wellbeing issues. One way for you to cope with negative feelings is through crafting and here we explain how and why.
Take your mind off bad news
It gives you something to be distracted by
Right now, we know that the world can be a distracting place. There’s constant news about the virus spreading, and you may find yourself seeking out more news. Sometimes, you may turn to sources of misinformation, such as your friend on social media who always shares the scariest content.
It’s important that you try to avoid scaremongering content and take your news consumption in moderation. One way you can do this is by taking your mind off it.
Crafting can help you concentrate on the art and nothing else. It’s a good way to let go of your worries, or at least for a while.
Because a new hobby is always good
When you're in your house a lot, you may find that the hobbies you used to enjoy are starting to get a little repetitive. Being trapped in the house all day can quickly become tiresome and streaming TV, as great as it can be, can get monotonous.
That’s why it’s important for you to get into some new hobbies, and one great hobby that helps with this is crafting. This is because there are endless possibilities and you can try lots of new craft projects and recipes at home. No two things are alike in the crafting world, just the way it should be. This can help reduce your depression and boredom during quarantine.
Kneading bread
It can help to improve your home
If you’re trapped in your home, then you might as well rearrange it. Spring is here after all, and many people find it therapeutic to clean up and rearrange their house. Now could be the perfect time to upcycle some furniture, freshen up the paintwork, create some art for the walls or grow some mood boosting houseplants.
This allows your home to feel fresh and give you new perspective, yet still have reassuring, familiar elements.
Mixing up recipes
Crafting is more than just sewing and making clothes. It’s about everything and anything that can be homemade. With restaurants being closed you’re probably going to be eating out a lot less, and in need of some variety.
It's a good time to try out some new recipes and maybe master something that you've been meaning to try from foraged foods to baking your own bread or making homemade pasta.
Sketching is easy and fun
You can do it outside
Self-isolation doesn’t mean you can’t leave your house. If you have a porch, garden, or know of a place where no one is around, you can craft there.
The sunlight can give you energy and improve your mood.
With spring around the corner, craft some projects while catching the scent of flowers on the breeze, or craft under an umbrella during a nice rain shower.
It can make you feel so much better.
Being creative can help you unwind
It can be a nice way to unwind
Crafting is mentally stimulating, but it’s also relaxing.
Before bed, doing a light crafting session can help you to unwind and stop you from staying up all night, worrying about what’s to come.
Sleep hygiene consists of rituals to help you fall asleep faster, and doing something like crafting can help.
If you can’t fall asleep, getting out of bed and doing some crafting until you're tired is a good way to combat insomnia.
Use what you have
You can craft with what you have at home
Because of everything that's going on, you may not be able to go to your usual craft supply shops, and you may not fancy going into large supermarkets, either. You can always order online, but delivery times are a little longer than usual and you may be eager to get started...
That’s why looking for crafting projects using what you have is so rewarding. Not only is it fun to see what you can make with what you already have, but it can save you money, which may be a little tight right now!
Plus, hunting for things to craft with and being inventive can help to keep you busy during self-isolation.
You can craft while seeking therapy
Because of all the troubles going on in the world, many people are afraid to leave their house. However, they may have depression, anxiety, and various other issues that they may be best discussing with a therapist.
Online therapy, where you speak to a therapist over the phone, is increasing in popularity.
One site you can look to is BetterHelp. BetterHelp helps by connecting you to a therapist through video chat, text, or voice calls. You can talk to a therapist while crafting, helping you relax, feel at ease and say what’s on your mind.
Crafting can help to make everything better, especially if you're isolating at home. Be it a big or small project, find something to craft today.
Please also take a look at our other blog articles compiled to help you through this disconcerting time of change.
About the author
Marie Miguel has been a writing and research expert for nearly a decade, covering a variety of health- related topics.
With an interest and dedication to addressing stigmas associated with mental health, she continues to specifically target subjects related to anxiety and depression.
