The Benefits of creativity for adults: why you should try crafting

Remember how good it used to feel getting stuck into something creative as a kid? Whether you were building sandcastles or painting by numbers, it felt good to just get messy. Central to the Recess Living approach is the fact that this is still the case. In fact, creativity is one of the best alternatives to meditation, and crafts is a major way we can connect with creativity as an adult. But what are the benefits of creativity for adults? Let’s dive in.

Active meditation

When we talk about meditation, most people’s minds immediately go to someone sitting on the floor, eyes closed and barely moving a muscle, reaching inner peace in complete silence and stillness. For some people, this works great. On the other hand, for a lot of people – myself included – at best it seems impossible; at worst, it seems totally terrifying. So if you’re looking for a way to carve out some calm in your life, what are the alternatives to meditation?

Active meditation – or, as I like to call it, “mediation for doers” – is the idea of meditation in motion, where calm is achieved through an action. It’s the idea that working with your hands allows you to feel calmer, and soothes busy racing minds. You don’t need silence, and you definitely don’t need total stillness: you need a space where you can just be. This is where the benefits of creativity for adults come in…

Mindfulness through making

Cast your mind back, and think about the last time you played. Not played a sport, or played a video or board game, but had playtime. I’m willing to bet it was a while ago (and if you’re one of the few for whom it was fairly recent, good for you!) As children, we naturally and instinctively pick up play and embrace it with open hands, hearts and minds. As we move through to adulthood and into workspaces, however, it’s quickly deemed a misuse of time, unproductive, and something we need to leave behind.

But, as Selina Barker says, “We need to bring play, fun, creativity, laughter and adventure into our day-to-day lives. We need to prioritise this and recognise the power it has to light us up from the inside and fill us with energy”

Benefits of creativity for adults

So, just why is creativity so therapeutic, and why are crafts such a brilliant way to do? As you can probably tell, there are so many benefits of creativity for adults, but here’s just 8 that show how powerful it can be…

Reduces stress levels

One of the biggest benefits of creativity for adults is its ability to reduce stress levels. For so many of us, modern life is full of stress-inducing situations: decisions to make, checklist items to tick off, fires to put out (mostly metaphorical, but if you’re reading this and you’re a firefighter…feel free to take that as literal.) Engaging in a craft activity that focuses your mind and your time on something completely different has been proven to reduce your stress levels.

Helps with burnout

This idea of active rest means crafts can also play a key role in managing burnout! Whether you’re feeling burnt out and want to manage it, or you’re not currently burnt out but want to make sure you prevent it, creativity is a really powerful tool.

Relieves anxiety

Maybe it’s not stress that’s got you googling alternatives to meditation; maybe it’s anxiety. The answer, however, is the same, as extensive research shows that creativity and crafting can relieve anxiety too, thanks to its mindful properties.

Creates moments of connection

Crafts are the perfect way to connect with others, which is important as feelings of togetherness and community are key to our wellbeing. (This is also why it’s so good for team building exercises.) However, crafting also provides a chance to connect with yourself, which is also a crucial element of self-compassion and self-care.

Gives you permission to slow down

Part of modern life is the mile-a-minute pace it seems to go at, and it can often feel like we’re having to run to catch up. Another of the benefits of creativity for adults is that it gives you permission to slow down and take a breath. To take time to ground yourself, go inward, and tune into what’s going on inside your body and mind. 

Invites joy

Joy and play are closely linked, in that they’re both things we embrace abundantly when we’re younger, but quickly shun away from when we’re older because it doesn’t feel proper. Crafting invites joy into your life, right back where it should be.

Opportunity to escape

There’s a common theme with the crafting alternatives to meditation that I offer: they can all get messy. This is deliberate because it emphasises craft’s amazing ability to help us shed rules and expectations, even if just for a 2-hour workshop. It’s an amazing tool for escapism, exploration, and self-expression, without rules or restrictions, rights or wrongs. Crafting creates an opportunity to step outside of what you know, and find the corners of yourself that you are yet to discover. 

Disconnect, and come back energised

Ultimately, all of these benefits of creativity for adults mean that crafting presents you with the perfect opportunity to disconnect from outside life for a bit, and then re-enter your world energised and restored. 

If you want to come and experience the benefits of creativity for adults in person, then keep an eye on my latest workshop dates here. Or maybe you’re looking for the perfect team-building exercises or alternatives to meditation for your community – check out how I work with corporate clients here.