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The positive effects crafting can have on mental well-being is undeniable. This also holds true for neurodivergence, specifically ADHD. For neurodiverse people, crafts can offer amazing benefits, from improved focus and confidence to reduced stress and anxiety.
Let’s explore those benefits together…
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neuro-developmental condition. It affects the parts of the brain that help us with our executive function skills, such as planning, prioritising, focusing and executing tasks.
Different people experience different symptoms of ADHD, and it affects their lives uniquely, presenting them with varying strengths and challenges. The key characteristics can include inattentiveness, impulsivity and hyperactivity, but there are also several other characteristics of varying intensities that people with ADHD might experience.
Neurodiversity refers to the different ways a person’s brain processes information. There are many types of neurodiversity, including ADHD, autism, dyslexia, dyspraxia and dyscalculia. These conditions can co-occur, and symptoms, such as a difference in processing emotions, communication and sensory feelings, can overlap.
Crafting isn’t just about making something beautiful (although that certainly is a huge advantage!), it’s also about finding something that makes you happy, calms your mind and brings you a sense of enjoyment and accomplishment.
For people with ADHD or other forms of neurodivergence, this transformational hobby can help ease symptoms or build on strengths.
Stitching can help manage stress and anxiety levels, which can often be heightened for those with ADHD. Often people with ADHD face additional challenges with stimulation and can often feel overwhelmed, crafting can offer a break from the stresses and anxieties of everyday life.
Cross stitch offers a chance to have a break after a difficult day at work, or an opportunity to unwind after an overwhelming activity. It's very relaxing, with the rhythmic motions offering a way to centre emotions and shift your attention away from any negative distractions.
This in turn works to lower cortisol levels and boost serotonin, which both help to calm, soothe and relax your body and mind, as well as make you feel good.
IMPROVED FOCUS
Cross stitching is a structured activity, the grid format of the fabric and stitching makes it easy to complete either by itself or alongside another activity (like watching TV). With easy-to-follow instructions and gridded patterns, it’s easier to stay focused and concentrate on the design, with obvious progress and a clear end goal.
Creating a cross stitch masterpiece allows you to direct your energy constructively and translate your ideas into reality. Expressing your creativity can also help to improve problem-solving skills, attention span and memory.
Although structured, cross stitching is also very flexible, with the ability to take breaks whenever needed, pick up multiple projects at one time or tweak patterns to add a unique flair.
Cross stitching can help to boost self-esteem and grow confidence levels. For people with ADHD, struggling with self-confidence can sometimes be one of the biggest challenges.
It's a productive hobby which can offer a sense of achievement. Working through a project and seeing the finished masterpiece is a great accomplishment, which you can display with pride in your home or gift to someone you love.
This wonderful craft also provides a great outlet for self-expression, and with so many different patterns and designs available, it’s easy to choose something that reflects you and your interests.
Crafting is a great way to meet new, like-minded individuals who you can share your projects with, work on similar projects together and create lasting friendships.
For those looking for a curated crafting experience, subscription boxes offer another avenue to connect with a community by providing a shared experience.
Sharing your interests with others can be a great opportunity to connect and form relationships, but also to share experiences, ideas and tips. Not only does this help to stimulate a sense of belonging, but it can also help to encourage continuous participation in projects and improvement in skill.
We have our own supportive Facebook group, full of thousands of friendly crafters, sharing their masterpieces and progress, as well as having a general chit-chat - why not join us and see what everyone’s currently working on?
The benefits of cross stitch are endless. It's a fun, creative hobby that’s perfect for every ability.
For beginners, the craft is so easy to learn and develop, you’ll have a beautiful masterpiece in no time!
Here at Caterpillar Cross Stitch, we offer a variety of different kits and patterns, so you can choose the one that suits you best, regardless of where you are in your stitching journey.
Want to give it a go and see how it can benefit you? Take a peek at our cross stitch kits.
Are you a complete beginner to cross stitch and unsure what kits are the best ones to buy? This blog post walks you through everything you need to know about buying your first cross stitch kit, what it should include, and how to get started with your first project.
