With Christmas over and the difficult weather set in this week, The Works have teamed up with the mental health charity, Mind, to raise awareness of the mental health benefits of crafting.

The winter can be especially difficult for many, with darker, colder days and prolonged periods of rain or snow affecting energy, mood, anxiety and stress levels. Some people may experience Seasonal Affective Disorder, which is a type of depression experienced during different seasons or times of year.

Stephen Buckley, Head of Information at Mind said, “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.”

Developing a list of crafts for those looking to support their mental health this winter, The Works, backed by Mind, have produced a blog post with some ideas for easing stress and anxiety, as well as boosting concentration, focus and creativity.

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.”

Crafts suggested by The Works and Mind include painting, scrapbooking and crocheting, with the full list found below. You can also find out more by visiting The Works’ blog: https://www.theworks.co.uk/theworks-blog/craft/winter-wellbeing-crafts.html

Top 10 crafts ideas to support wellbeing:

Colouring
Crocheting
Knitting
Painting
Ceramics
Sketching
Scrapbooking
Journalling
Cross Stitch
Flower Pressing