With autumn leaves crunching underfoot and evenings getting darker by the day, it’s that time of year when moods can start to dip.
To tackle this seasonal slump, The Works has joined forces with the mental health charity, Mind, to highlight how crafting can help brighten the darker months.
Winter can be a tough slog. The grey skies, freezing mornings, and endless rain can drag down energy levels and ramp up anxiety and stress.
For some, it’s even more serious. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a type of depression tied to the time of year, affects a significant number of people.
Stephen Buckley, Head of Information at Mind, explains why crafting could be your secret weapon:
“We know that crafting can be a powerful way to support mental health and wellbeing.
Creative activities like card-making or knitting require focus, which may help us disconnect from daily pressures and find a welcome distraction.
Learning a new skill can also bring a sense of accomplishment, which can be especially rewarding as the nights draw in.
The repetitive motions of these crafts can feel meditative and calming, making them a helpful tool for managing stress, depression, and anxiety.
Different things will work for different people and the main thing is finding a craft you enjoy and which fits into your life.”
To make it easier for people to get started, The Works and Mind have put together a blog post full of practical ideas for stress-busting, focus-boosting, creativity-building crafts. The suggestions are simple enough for beginners and therapeutic enough to help even the most frazzled of minds.
Lynne Tooms, Chief Commercial Officer at The Works, said: “Channelling your emotions into creativity can have a huge impact on us as adults, with various craft types having a big impact on our mood and sense of achievement, as well as providing us with skills and hobbies that can turn into passions to enjoy all year round.”
Among the top suggestions are painting, scrapbooking, and crocheting, but the full list is packed with inspiration to help anyone find their crafty calling.
To see all the ideas, check out The Works’ blog here: Winter Wellbeing Crafts.
| Top 10 Crafts for Winter Wellbeing |
|---|
| Colouring |
| Crocheting |
| Knitting |
| Painting |
| Ceramics |
| Sketching |
| Scrapbooking |
| Journalling |
| Cross Stitch |
| Flower Pressing |
This winter, crafting could be just what you need to tune out the noise, find some calm, and maybe even pick up a new passion.
Thanks to The Works and Mind, there’s no better time to grab some supplies, put on a cosy playlist, and give it a go.