Are Arts & Crafts Good for Mental Health?

While far from being a new idea, the possibility that arts & crafts can be good for mental health is gaining traction. From having a sense of purpose to mixing with others in a controlled environment, there are many benefits which arts and crafts can have on our general wellbeing.

These benefits have led to a rise in those with an interest in arts and crafts buying materials from websites such as Raaaft.com. There has also been an increase in demand for such products from those who work with adults with learning disabilities and hospitals which house patients with mental health issues. This would certainly add weight to the idea that there are tangible mental-health benefits to arts and crafts.

A positive response to arts & crafts helping wellbeing

Respondents of this study on arts and crafts and their link to wellbeing stated that being involved in creative activities can help to improve factors which ultimately lead to wellbeing. 99% of respondents agreed that being creative keeps the brain active and 92% said that it improves concentration levels. Those who took part in the study also found that involvement in arts and craftswere believed tohelp improve social connectedness and the ability to communicate.

The study also found that there are other major benefits to arts and crafts for health:

“Substantial evidence [4] now indicates that individuals lacking social connections are at risk of early death, and indeed statistically, loneliness has now been found to be deadlier than obesity. The same US study shows that loneliness is not just an ‘old-age’ problem either, in fact older adults reported lower rates of loneliness than those who were younger, (43% of those aged 45-49 were lonely compared to 25% of those 70+). In the UK, a 2016 study [5] by the University of York found that lonely people are around 30 per cent more likely to suffer a stroke or heart disease, two of the leading causes of death in Britain. Arts and crafts activities improve social connectedness, so there is a strong argument that they can prolong life,” the study stated.

​Arts & crafts for additional income

Arts and crafts is now becoming a popular way for professionals to make additional money, which boosts household income and can improve mood. In the modern age, more and more retirees are turning to other means of making money in order to satisfy a reasonable income. Other respondents in similar studies – students – found that the ability to create and sell online was a blessing at a time where they had meager income.

There is no doubt that arts and crafts can provide many with a reasonable way to make additional funds. With the emerging demand of handcrafted items and art, those with the ability to create a product which is desirable have a chance to improve their bank balance. This can effectively improve an individual’s happiness which can lead to better mental health and an overall sense of satisfaction in life.