DETROIT – Most New Year’s resolutions involve doing something you don’t enjoy but would improve your health.
But what if you could resolve to do something fun and good for you? Experts say starting a new hobby in the New Year may just be the thing.
Activities such as knitting, painting, drawing, and pottery have been shown to reduce stress and enhance happiness. While crafting isn’t new, research into the health benefits is.
“There is now some new research that simply working on arts and crafts could be good for your mental well-being,” said Dr. Sanjay Gupta. “Crafting can lower the stress hormone cortisol. A recent study found a positive relationship between crafting and people’s self-reported happiness, satisfaction, and overall sense of well-being.”
According to the National Endowment for the Arts, arts education can help youth better cope with feelings, bounce back from adversity and develop tolerance and compassion for others. It can also improve hand-eye coordination.
For older adults, the agency said participating in art has been linked to positive health outcomes. Studies have suggested crafting can even help re-establish brain pathways for people recovering from strokes or living with dementia.
If you’re looking to start a new hobby in the new year, experts say to tune into your creative side. It can even help with another critical part of health — social connections.
Experts urge creative hobbies for a healthier New Year
