Monday Musings: Health Benefits of Art

There is ample evidence of how crafting provides positive emotional benefits. According to Newsweek, the U.S. National Library of Medicine published a study that found "improved well-being by decreasing negative emotions and increasing positive ones" (Newsweek). Personally, I never needed convincing—whenever I’m having a stressful day or life event, I turn to my crafts.

I find the act of crocheting and needlepoint challenging yet repetitive, and therefore relaxing. I enjoy pushing myself to learn new stitches, and the accomplishment of seeing those in a finished project always helps with a boost of confidence and pride!

As a natural homebody, I don’t want to spend every evening just sitting on the couch, but I do like relaxing that way. Having a project means I can also be productive. I have completed most of my crocheted blankets and needlepoint projects during relaxing evenings with my family. In fact, I find I’m more relaxed with my family when I spend a little time doing something for myself. But with crochet and needlepoint, I can be with them at the same time.

Giving these as gifts also brings great joy. I recently wrote a post about making holiday gifts. Though you have to work farther in advance, the effort associated with the gift makes it a much more meaningful experience. I love seeing ornaments I made in past years up on family trees each holiday season.

Here are some additional resources about these benefits.

• The Benefits of Arts and Crafts, Mindfood

• The Mental Health Benefits of Cross Stitch, The Spruce Crafts

• Creative Wellness: The Health Benefits of Needlepoint, Needlepoint.com

For more about my personal favorite artistic hobbies, check out a few of my previous posts:

• Getting Crafty: Needlepoint Edition

• Getting Crafty for the Holidays

“Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.” – Thomas Merton