Creative hobbies are not just a good way to spend free time; they are also something that come with big benefits to your health and wellbeing. But why are they so good for you?
Doing something creative is a natural outlet for feelings of stress or anxiety. When you become absorbed in doing something creative it helps to take your mind off the things that you are concerned about and therefore helps your brain to release the feel-good chemicals such as dopamine.
Doing hobbies where you use your creativity regularly, helps your brain to use another part which also reduces the cortisol – the stress hormone in your body which benefits your mental and physical wellbeing. This can improve mood long term and also help to boost memory and give you an overall sense of calm.
When you are doing hobbies that require a level of focus, this also means that you are in a state of mindfulness – something that is very beneficial to your mind and mental wellbeing.
Here are some creative hobbies that you can take up if you are wanting to improve your physical and mental health in this way…
Journaling and Creative Writing
When you write it can help to get your thoughts out and also to organise them and understand them better. Writing in a journal is something that you can do to relax and have some time that is just for you to reflect on your feelings. Creative writing and poetry is a good way to express yourself and your feelings too.
Knitting
Something that has become more and more popular over recent years is knitting. You can easily get started with knitting kits like this www.woolcouturecompany.com/collections/knitting-kits and there are lots of online tutorials that you can follow to help you get started, as well as clubs and groups that you can join in with.
Painting and Drawing
Art is a great way to encourage self-expression and help you to process your emotions. Spending time painting and drawing also allows you to absorb yourself in something which makes your brain feel naturally more relaxed.
Gardening
It is known that spending time around plants is something that naturally relaxes you, and spending time working in the garden is not only relaxing, but you also get a great sense of achievement from seeing things grow and the improvements that you make to your garden over time.
Why creating art calms the mind
Many people avoid art because they think they lack talent, or that it only helps with an art therapist. In fact, art covers far more than painting a watercolour, and anyone can benefit. Drawing, photography, sculpture, knitting, sewing, woodwork and even cake decorating all count.
Creative work relieves stress by giving the mind a break from repetitive worries. Focusing on fine detail and paying attention to your surroundings encourages you to slow down and breathe, much like meditation. It also builds creative thinking and problem solving, because there is no single right answer and you find your own solutions. Activities that use the senses in new ways are thought to help keep the brain active, as mental decline is linked to reduced communication between brain cells.
Finishing a piece brings a real sense of achievement and a boost to self-esteem. That good feeling is linked to the release of dopamine, which supports drive, concentration and focus, creating a cycle of positivity. You do not need to produce gallery-worthy work to feel the benefit, only something that absorbs and engages you.
