Depression Getaway with Wendy Love

Why does doing something creative, with your hands, help you cope? Is it simply the distraction of the activity? Is it the feeling of being productive? Is it the planning and processing of all of the steps required to carry out the projects? Is it the act of throwing yourself into a creative activity that so engulfs you that you completely forget, for awhile, about your depression? Is it the feeling of being useful? Well guess what? It is ALL of those things! That's right! Working with your hands, especially if you enjoy it, is a creative activity packed full of benefits!

Look at my latest project! Isn't it pretty? Actually, the picture doesn't do it justice, it is so much brighter than this! I am going to give it away, probably to a women's shelter, like my last projects. Even more important than how pretty it is and where it is going to is how much fun I had doing it. I've discovered I can sew even when I am not feelingwell. I have learned that while I do something with my hands, my thoughts change and I am unable to dwell on negative thoughts while my hands are busy. This post could also be titled: "SEWING SAVES MY LIFE" . Am I suggesting that a needle could sew my life back together? Not at all. But the sewing activity helps. Last time I shared a book review with you called "Crochet Saved My Life" .  Today I am sharing my own experience but I have changed the word 'saved' to 'saves' because it only works when I do it and I have to keep doing it! 

When you think of creativity, what do you think of? Arts and crafts, gardening, interior design, dance, drama, music? Do you think you need to be good at any of these things in order for them to be therapeutic for you? Would you like to know how creativity can help with mental illness?  "These types of therapy can be a healing force for the body and the mind in part because the creative process helps release brain chemicals that fight depression. Research shows that art therapy can also improve your sense of well-being by reducing depression and anxiety." says Routa Segal, certified creative art therapist.