Crafts are therapeutic

Therapy can be defined as an act, hobby, task, or program that relieves stress. It is also something that has a healing power or quality.

Craftsmanship is all of these things and more.

When we immerse ourselves in our craft work, we often enter “the zone”, that state of mind in which we waste time and get so involved in an activity that the outside world disappears and we are one with ourselves and our actions.

Stress relief and healing powers

The medical community understands stress and tension better.

We know that elevated stress leaves a person more susceptible to illness and fatigue, and that it can have many strange and undesirable side effects. Each of us must learn to manage stress in our own way, and the methods for doing so vary widely, although the most effective areas include diet, exercise, and what many call Zen activities.

Zen activities are those in which we lose ourselves in the task at hand. It is a total and complete commitment to everything we are doing at this time.

Craftsmanship has a unique therapeutic value because it involves a total commitment of the mind and body. Your hands are busy working on your project, while your mind concentrates on creating.

The creative process itself has restorative power, but the act of making something with raw materials brings body work into the picture, and with mind and body so engaged, tension tends to disappear, frustrated by mental focus and action. physics, which, when combined, act as a powerful balancing force.

Recognizing the Zen Zone

There are several ways to recognize that you have entered the Zen zone.

First of all, you are one hundred percent committed: body, mind and spirit. You feel a complete connection to whatever you are doing.

You may experience feelings of intense concentration, which are the result of being totally focused.

Despite the intensity, you feel relaxed and balanced. One of the most notable signs of being involved in a Zen activity or state of mind is the feeling of timelessness. Hours pass as if they were minutes and time becomes insignificant and non-existent.

Choose your craft wisely and de-stress

Knitting is not for everyone. Some people will experience joint pain or lack the dexterity to manipulate the needles and prevent the thread from tangling.

Similarly, some people could never make pottery because they cannot stand the silt and sticky substance of wet clay. If you are looking for a trade or hobby that will help you de-stress and manage tension, look for a trade that suits your personal preferences and physical limits.

The tedious nature of beads can make your brain and eyes go wild, while scrapbooking will get your spirits soaring.

Try different trades until you feel good and you will soon be on your way to a stress-free existence.