Do you think that hands-on activities, such arts and crafts can help with anxiety and depression?

Claudia Silva — Sun, 08 May 2016 20:31:44 -0400

One of the things that have always helped me when I'm going through times of extreme stress or depression is painting. I learned oil painting very young, age 11-12, and one of my favorite childhood memories is Saturday mornings when I had my painting class from 10am to 12pm.
I stopped painting after college and didn't get back to it until recently. After my divorce, I made an effort to paint again and rediscover how much joy it gives me. When I paint, I disconnect myself completely from everything else. I even feel happier and more relaxed after a couple of hours of painting.
I wonder if others feel the same way when they do any artistic hands-on activities, anything from drawing, woodworking, knitting, baking to restoring furniture or cars.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 8 at 2016 8:49 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 08 May 2016 20:49:54 -0400

Absolutely!

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made May 8 at 2016 9:09 PM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 08 May 2016 21:09:40 -0400

Yes it can. I have facilitated a Self-Nurture Workshop with painting the "Trees of Love". I also shared self-care ideas and the participants did also. It was uplifting and is a methodology that can reduce depression and anxiety.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 8 at 2016 9:30 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 08 May 2016 21:30:23 -0400

Claudia Silva Great post! Working with your hands to create something sounds like a good way to ease stress or depression.

Response by SGT Aaron Burks made May 8 at 2016 10:02 PM

SGT Aaron Burks — Sun, 08 May 2016 22:02:49 -0400

Yes. I have severe PTSD and the only time I'm really relaxed is when I'm drawing or painting.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 8 at 2016 10:31 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 08 May 2016 22:31:47 -0400

I believe we are created in the image of God. The first words in the Bible are, "In the beginning God created." We have it in our hearts to create. I personally believe that this becomes even more important for those who are in the business of destruction. We need balance. I have absolutely no artistic skill, and craftsy stuff drives me nuts. However, I can make and repair things, whether it's making a door handle for my pickup, patching a fiberglass canoe, or pouring a concrete slab. I believe that the ability to create or repair, and if our health allows it being in good physical condition are beneficial for everybody.

Response by CPL Ricky Vasquez made May 9 at 2016 12:29 AM

CPL Ricky Vasquez — Mon, 09 May 2016 00:29:59 -0400

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made May 9 at 2016 2:32 AM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Mon, 09 May 2016 02:32:25 -0400

I better say yes, My mother wrote the Craft Book for Catholic Sunday School otherwise she might Haunt Me. LOL! She was a Registered Artist with the Kansas City Art Institute. I think any Hobby is Healing and Stress Relieving, My Passion is Fishing. Or to Quote my Uncle Ray Ziegler "Bowling Hall of Famer 1963 I think" Man's has got to have a Sport, don't care what it is but you have to have something. Mother sent me to lots of Tennis Lessons, Both Grandpa's taught me to fish that I shared that passion with my Father & Son and although I am nowhere near Great Uncle Ray Zeigler my Daughter says I cheat when we bowl together and I have an Unfair Advantage and it is Genetic.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made May 9 at 2016 2:35 AM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Mon, 09 May 2016 02:35:04 -0400

I love the Picture, Reminds me of my Granddaughter, Raven Hair, Tall, Built like a Cheetah like Grandpa used to be. Yes she is a Dancer.

Response by SGT Michael Thorin made May 9 at 2016 8:23 AM

SGT Michael Thorin — Mon, 09 May 2016 08:23:09 -0400

First off, beautiful rendering Claudia. Was this one of your pastels?

Loss of control. Many times, the base root of PTSD and anxiety is a trauma or event which you experience which can be traced back to a "loss of ability to control" the things which have happened to or around you.

On a personal level, there is one event above all others which haunts me the most.

The inability to control your environment can many times be stressful for those of us suffering from PTSD, which could eventually lead to reclusion or depression, which many times leads to depression, and ultimately snowballing to a rapid decline of physical and psychological health.

Painting, drawing, rendering, woodworking, photography, etc., all have a very specific trait; they allow the individual complete control in the outcome of your efforts.

In drawing and painting, it allows the artist to either accept the scene they are painting as is, or the flexibility to alter their view so others see it as they do.

If you are feeling down and it is storming and raining outside, you can draw or paint a beautiful autumn scene to lift your spirits.

A photographer can take a crowded New York street and focus on what he or she wishes, and show the world a serene picture of a solitary pigeon perched atop a street sign, while setting up a shot so as the one looking at the photo is completely oblivious to the thousands of people and cars on the streets below.

Control, to some degree we all feel safer when we feel as if we have taken back that control.

Art of almost any medium offers a person suffering from anxiety or PTSD an opportunity to regain that control.

Response by SFC Marcus Belt made May 9 at 2016 10:33 AM

SFC Marcus Belt — Mon, 09 May 2016 10:33:29 -0400

I play the guitar, keyboards and bass, write and compose original music, and yes, if I don't play for a while, my anxiety levels are generally higher than they would be otherwise.

Response by SSG Donald Mceuen made May 9 at 2016 11:14 AM

SSG Donald Mceuen — Mon, 09 May 2016 11:14:12 -0400

I carve logs and find it helps

Response by PO2 Katie Benson made May 12 at 2016 8:24 PM

PO2 Katie Benson — Thu, 12 May 2016 20:24:19 -0400

Oh absolutely!!! But when is theire time?

Response by SSgt Terry P. made May 12 at 2016 10:20 PM

SSgt Terry P. — Thu, 12 May 2016 22:20:54 -0400

Claudia Silva Absolutely,everything goes away when i paint.

Response by SPC Jacob Hostetler made Mar 13 at 2017 5:31 PM

SPC Jacob Hostetler — Mon, 13 Mar 2017 17:31:30 -0400

Yes, letting your emotions out over a blink piece of canvas, or shaping a piece clay, steel, or yarn in to a work of art. Can help manage your pain and emotional intelligence.

Response by SmithSeverson SmithSeverson made Feb 7 at 2023 5:46 AM

SmithSeverson SmithSeverson — Tue, 07 Feb 2023 05:46:23 -0500

Jigsaw puzzles are a great way to relieve stress and take your mind off of everyday worries. As you focus on piecing together the puzzle, you can forget about your problems and simply enjoy the process. The satisfying feeling of completing a puzzle and seeing the beautiful final picture can also boost your mood and help you relax. I have a lot of different jigsaw puzzles at home that I bought here https://journeyofsomething.com/products/1000-piece-puzzle-australia-edition. I work on puzzles alone or with friends.

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