Making things in May

There is no doubt whatsoever, electronic devices have made human communication faster and has certainly brought a mind-boggling amount of information to our fingertips.....and while this increased access is amazing and extremely convenient, it may also be leading us away from an important human activity: handmade creation and expression.

Various studies suggest that therapy through 'creating' can assist in treating issues such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and even some phobias. It is a great way to express emotions without words, and you are able to process complex feelings.

So, with this in mind, let's look at some of the benefits of creating shall we? I mean, it can't hurt….. right?

Increases happiness

Have you heard of the term 'flow'? Flow is the state you get in when you are completely absorbed in whatever you are doing.....have you ever been working on a project and completely lost track of time? Well, that is 'flow'....pretty cool, right?

So, when you lose yourself in your project, it can reduce anxiety, boost your mood, and even slow your heart rate down. But, that's not the only thing that can help your happiness...repetitive and creative motions such as knitting, drawing, or writing help activate flow as well. Engaging in 'creating' can release dopa-mine, which is a 'feel good' chemical that helps motivate you will possibly even influence your mindset.

I guess to put this into a personal context, with the current COVID-19 isolation my interest in cooking has returned and I spent one entire Saturday cooking, and before I knew it, it was 4pm and my afternoon had FLOWN by (flow). I remember feeling actually happy and content with how I had spent my day and then when Sunday rolled around I had such a different mindset on how I was going to approach the day (feel -good chemical had been released), that I took my dog on a bush walk around a reserve close to my home (no lock down rules were breached, I promise).

Improves mental health.

Involving yourself in a creative act can help focus the mind, and has even been compared to meditation due to its calming effects on the brain and body. Creativity reduces anxiety, depression, and stress… and it can also help you process trauma. Studies have shown that writing helps people manage their negative emotions in a productive way, and painting or drawing helps people express trauma or experiences that they find too difficult to put into words.

Promotes thinking and problem-solving

From technical details of writing, drawing, or learning a musical instrument - the challenge of creating, problem-solving is a required component of the creative process and the sense of satisfaction felt after you have accomplished and achieved something is absolutely priceless.

Links you with like-minded people

Creating is important because it nurtures a sense of connection and understanding.... and in finding a creative outlet can help you find your people with similar interests and feel less alone in the world. Whether it be face to face or through social media (Facebook group for example)...it helps you engage with others who have the same interests as you.

Creativity improves your ability to focus

The act of making something requires dedication, commitment and not to mention....concentration. The process of making something helps you focus on the task at hand - studies have shown that the average person can have up to 60,000 thoughts in one day SIXTY THOUSAND....so by engaging your mind in a creative process, you could potentially 'de-clutter' your mind, giving you a sense of clarity.

Encourages learning new skills

Creativity requires the humility to know that there’s always room for improvement and a commitment to continue challenging yourself and your ability to grow as a person.

So, now that you're armed with some pretty good reasons as to why you should start making things......what are you waiting for? Go grab yourself a pen, pencil, wooden spoon, knitting needle, gardening tool, or pick up an instrument......whatever you decide to do, it’s time to start getting creative and reaping the rewards. You can thank me later.