When was the last time you did something for yourself? The world today is very chaotic and busy. People are spending most of their time climbing the corporate ladder, building a family, or working towards another goal. These are all great things and can help people feel accomplished, but how much is too much? It’s important to also take time for yourself and prioritize a little self care. This is personal to each and every person, but taking a little extra time in your daily routine to be in tune with your body and mind is necessary to prevent burnout. There is no shame in prioritizing your physical and mental health, in fact it should be something everyone does more often.
“The hardest part about practicing self care is finding the time to do the things that relax and calm you down. Our lives are usually pretty busy, and self care is not really etched into our daily schedules. The best way to relax is to incorporate it into the things you love,” says Corey Pearson, Chief Quilt Artist and Brand Ambassador at Linda’s.
There are so many different ways to practice self care. Many people take to exercise, baking, outdoor sports, or even just hanging out and watching some TV. But did you know that crafting is actually a great stress reliever and can help people feel happier in their day-to-day life? Studies show that crafting, no matter what form, helps people release serotonin in their brains. Not only does this help them relax, but it brings them a feeling of joy. Serotonin actually is a natural anti-depressant, so crafting is a great activity to help combat all sorts of mental illnesses.
Crafting is a productive activity that can also help people build their self-esteem. Because there is a physical thing made at the end of a craft, people can feel a sense of pride and accomplishment in their work. Not only does it help people feel good mentally, but there are physical benefits to crafting. It can help decrease your risk of cognitive impairment and also aids with sleep issues. When people feel healthy in their mind, it can also help them feel like their best self physically.
“Crafting is a great way to get your heart rate down and focus on something other than the usual stressors of our lives. When you put your mind to another task it can help give you a space to almost remove yourself from reality. Crocheting, going on a walk or watching your favorite movie gives you the space to not worry about the other things in life. Self care means taking care of yourself physically and mentally, and crafting is a great way to nourish your body and mind,” Pearson says.
However, self care won’t just happen on its own. You actually have to make a conscious effort to prioritize more than just once a month. Self care doesn’t even have to take up hours of your day. Maybe spending 15-30 minutes each day on a craft will help you balance both your work and personal life.
The thing to remember about self care is that it shouldn’t feel like a chore. You are doing something for yourself, and there is no reason to feel guilty about prioritizing your physical and mental health. The more you practice self care the easier it will be to feel comfortable taking time for yourself. There are so many different ways to relax and ease your mind, but crafting is a great way to help you feel productive while also doing something that you enjoy. Staying creative can help stimulate your mind and give you an avenue for your feelings and emotions. Self care is a distraction from reality, and everyone deserves a break every now and then. How will you practice self care throughout your daily routine?