It’s become well-known that art is a useful technique to improve mental health. Studies have shown that creating art can reduce levels of cortisol, which is a hormone that causes stress. Art can also reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, which are two of the most common forms of mental health issues.
A recent survey that was conducted by creative resource Design Bundles has revealed that painting is the most googled craft that can help improve mental health. They compared the volume of google searches that popular therapeutic crafts have on average each month. This research method showed that painting is googled 136,000 times on average every month.
It’s estimated that one in four people in the UK experiences mental health issues each year. One in six children also identifies as having a probable mental health issue. With such a large proportion of the population struggling with poor mental health, it seems more and more people are turning to alternative methods to help them cope. The crafts featured in the survey can help to reduce levels of stress and anxiety, which can help to improve mental health in the long term.
Spending a few hours each day on a craft can calm your mind as you focus on what you are physically creating. This is a form of meditation, which is known to lower blood pressure, enhance self-awareness and increase patience.
What are the most googled therapeutic crafts?
After painting, the second most googled craft is drawing. This art form is a useful form of mindfulness, which is a mediation process that helps you to focus on the present moment and engage with your inner thoughts and feelings in a productive manner. It can help you to physically relax as you slow your breathing and your pulse rate slows whilst you concentrate on the picture that you are creating.
On average, drawing is googled 98,000 times in the UK each month. Drawing is one of the few crafts featured on the list that requires minimal equipment, as you just need a simple pencil and paper to get started. Some people keep a small notepad and pen with them at all times so that they can doodle if they start to feel anxious or stressed.
The third most popular therapeutic craft is photography. It’s become incredibly easy for people to pick up photography thanks to the camera feature of smartphones. The increased popularity of social media platforms such as Instagram has also encouraged more and more people to share their photos online, which can lead to positive feedback and Likes.
Photography is googled an average of 66,000 times each month, with budding photographers wanting to find out more about camera equipment and techniques.
The next most googled therapeutic craft is crochet, with an average of 54,000 Google searches each month. Knitting, which is a similar craft in the sense that it uses yarn to create woollen objects, only receives an average of 24,000 Google searches in comparison. This means that knitting appears in tenth place as the most googled craft that helps with mental health.
The table shows the volume of Google searches that the top ten therapeutic crafts receive on average each month in the UK.
Calligraphy is the fifth most googled therapeutic craft, according to the survey. Research has shown that the creative writing form is googled an average of 46,000 times every month. Whilst there are special calligraphy pens that you can buy, beginners can get started using a basic fountain or felt tip pen.
One of the most popular uses for calligraphy is to write invitations, as well as letters and gift tags. Calligraphy originated in ancient China, but it has become increasingly popular in the Western world thanks to videos on social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok. Some people find progress videos featuring calligraphy techniques to be very relaxing. Each letter is created in a methodical and careful manner to create an aesthetically pleasing font.
Tie-dye is the next craft featured on the list, with only 2,000 fewer Google searches on average than calligraphy. The 1970s inspired craft has an average of 44,000 online searches, with users wanting advice on which dyes to use and the best techniques.
Another retro craft that can help with your mental health is macrame. This craft involves tying knots to create intricate patterns and designs, from wall hangings to plant holders. It is googled an average of 36,000 times each month, which means that it has exactly 100,000 fewer Google searches than painting, the most popular therapeutic craft.
Origami is the second art form in the survey that originated in ancient Asia. The paper craft is often associated with Japan where it was practised over 1,000 years ago, although it may have also have been practised in China around the same time.
The survey revealed that origami is googled 34,000 times a month on average. Folding paper to create patterns and shapes is a relaxing method of meditation and can help to lower blood pressure as well as calm your mind.
Colouring is the ninth most googled therapeutic craft, with an average of 30,000 online searches each month. Adult colouring books have become more popular in recent years, especially ones that feature geometric designs. The steady motion of colouring can help to relax your body and ease symptoms of stress and anxiety.
In the long run, arts and crafts can help to improve your everyday mood and mental health conditions. Art therapy is a good way for people to express their feelings and channel their emotions into making something positive.
A spokesperson for Design Bundles commented on the study and said: “792 million people are affected by mental health conditions worldwide, so it’s important that people know there are lots of different approaches they can take to help improve their mental wellbeing. These figures show that there is plenty of interest in crafts which also have therapeutic benefits, so hopefully we will continue to see activities such as painting, photography and calligraphy helping people manage their mental health.”
