Skip to Main
Parenting With A Purpose

Parenting With A Purpose: Crafting

Renowned parenting psychologist Reena B. Patel shares that it’s important to celebrate crafting as it has more benefits than tapping into your creative side and offers some mental relief which we all need right now!

Studies and Research have shown that those suffering from PTSD, Anxiety Disorders, Depression, Insomnia and any level of chronic pain have achieved a reduction in symptoms by incorporating crafts into their lives.

More benefits of crafting include:

  • increase positive emotions
  • improve self-confidence
  • reduce stress overall
  • improve mental agility
  • improves both gross and fine motor movements
  • decreases cognitive decline
  • natural antidepressant

Stress can increase cortisol levels (stress hormone), which can lead to mental health problems – Crafting offers more than stress relief, offering some of the best coping skills and creative ability including:

  • RELAXATION: the continuous rhythmic and repetitive movements in painting, knitting, or sanding helps ease stress.
  • REWARDING: Crafting can stimulate release of the neurotransmitter dopamine. Dopamine plays a role in feelings of pleasure, reward, and motivation. The end product also gives a sense of accomplishment and is a great reinforcer.
    FOCUS & RELEASE:  of negative feelings.-  promotes attention to detail, which can strengthen the ability to focus.
  • SOCIAL HOBBY: crafting with friends (paint and wine night) gives you a sense of community and opportunity to connect.
  • SENSORY: Using your senses such as touching and working with materials, such as clay and fabrics, can offer a tactile, self-soothing experience. Physically working with materials can also help release tension and anger in a healthy way.
  • EXPRESSION OF FEELINGS: Crafting can be an outlet for your feelings. Collaging is a good example; cutting out words and pictures to use in a collage.

Check out our interview with Reena below and for more information on her and her work .

Local Trending News