Crafting is known to help reduce anxiety and depression. In most cases, it can be seen as a kind of therapy. Crafting focuses the brain in a way that reduces stress and allows you to focus on the positives, which in turn gives you a sense of accomplishment at the end. A key part of crafting acting as a form of therapy is that it can be done alone, as part of a group, or in a workshop. This can also help eliminate loneliness in many people by giving them a base to make new friends. 

However there are many people who find crafting stressful and the pressure to create a piece of art that is perfect, too much to handle, so why is this?

How To Reduce Your Anxiety Around Crafting

Arts and crafts naturally involves a bit of risk-taking, as you never know what the piece will look like in the end. This can cause many people to become anxious and nervous about beginning a craft, which can lead to them never giving crafting a go. However, we have a few tips and tricks that will help reduce the anxiety around starting your crafting journey.

1. Our first tip is to aim to create a craft that doesn’t look like the instructions and/or images on the box. This way you have no expectations of how your craft ‘should’ look, but rather you are being able to put your own spin on a craft. Give yourself freedom and let your imagination run wild, there are no limits to crafting.
2. Next up is to remind yourself that you don’t need to complete the task right now. Usually, you start crafting when you have free time or need to focus on something. So there is no time limit, take breaks when you need to, have time to reset. Especially if you are struggling on a certain part of your craft, take a break and go back to it when you feel ready. This will allow your feelings of frustration to pass. Don’t give up when things get tough.
3. Craft with a friend! If you have someone there with you, who can help you through parts that seem tough it can seem easier. This way when you start to get frustrated, you may be able to see that the other person is also struggling or, they can advise you on how they tackled that part. Crafting can also be a fun social activity in which you can spend time with your friends and family without having to go out or spend a lot of money. It’s also nice to hear other people appreciate your art!

Try It For Yourself

If you want to give crafting a try, without the pressure head over to our workshop page and organise your own crafting workshop, for you and your friends. Workshops are led by a professional who can help you through the difficult parts! Or if you prefer to craft on your own, buy one of our crafting boxes and give it a go! You could end up loving crafting so don’t keep putting it off.