Happy New Year Crafting!

Welcome to the New Year! With new hope and positivity!

With Covid still taking centre stage, having raged 

around the world, plus the knowledge that it will remain

with us (albeit in a milder form) for years to come,

provides us with a clear understanding that we all

must take more responsibility for our own health and

wellbeing. Don't just wait to get sick ... prevent yourself

from getting run down and prone to disease and infection.

The beginning of the year is the best time to make that

personal resolution!

Self care includes good nutrition and a balanced diet, gentle

exercise, good sleep, fresh air, improving your environment as 

well as having a sense of purpose and within that list, I would

also add: CREATIVITY!

Medical studies have actually shown that creativity can reduce

anxiety, depression and stress and in the climate of fear that

has surrounded us all over the last couple of years, I personally

feel that it's such an important tool to help you manage negative

emotions in a productive way.  The process of making and

designing can help one mentally escape. Plus, help to express

feelings that could be too difficult to put into words.

When you're consumed and absorbed in something, that state 

is often described as being in the 'flow'. You lose all sense of

time, which helps with the decrease of anxiety and your mood

can really be boosted. Even your physical heart rate slows

down!

It doesn't just have to be jewellery making or wire working,

but ALL creative motions like knitting, drawing, colouring in,

dancing, singing, writing, playing an instrument ... can all

help activate a state of flow. And all are tasks that create a

result. And when you succeed at creating a result, your brain

gets flooded with dopamine, or a hit of happiness!

Not only is creative crafting a wonderful way to boost your

wellbeing, but it's also highly beneficial for brain stimulation.

Keeping the old grey cells charged and wired! Mental creative 

engagement is often used to reduce depression and isolation, 

helping people to tap back into their personalities and sharpen 

their senses.

Did you know that the average person has about 60,000

thoughts a day? And a creative act such as crafting, can

help focus the mind away from a negative cycle of thoughts.

It has been compared to having the same power as 

meditation, due to its calming effects on the brain and

body.  And it's not just crafting, because other activities

such as gardening, cooking or sewing also help release

dopamine, which is known to be a natural antidepressant.

So, on that very positive note, remember to add CREATIVITY

to your list of positive New Year resolutions for 2022!

It's a natural, non-medicinal way to stimulate your inner

happiness!

With Best Wishes for a better year with lots 

and lots of happy crafting days ahead!