Make Sewing Part of Your Daily Routine

Today I want to share with you some more benefits of sewing for your mental health, and give you some tips on how to make sewing or crafting a part of your daily routine. If you haven’t read my previous article on Sewing for Mental Health and Wellbeing, you can find it here: Sewing for Mental Health and Well-being – A Spoonful of Sugar (aspoonfulofsugardesigns.com)

Sewing is not only a fun and creative hobby, but it can also have positive effects on your mental health. Sewing can help you relax, reduce stress, boost your mood, improve your self-esteem, and even prevent cognitive decline. Here are some of the ways that sewing can benefit your mental health:

Sewing can help you relax by engaging your mind and body in a repetitive and soothing activity. When you sew, you focus on the present moment and forget about your worries and problems. Sewing can also lower your blood pressure, heart rate, and cortisol levels, which are associated with stress.
Sewing can reduce stress by giving you a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. When you finish a sewing project, you feel proud of yourself and happy with the result. You also get to express yourself creatively and make something unique and beautiful. Sewing can also help you cope with difficult emotions, such as anger, sadness, or frustration, by channeling them into something productive and positive.
Sewing can boost your mood by releasing endorphins, which are natural chemicals that make you feel good. Endorphins are triggered by physical activity, social interaction, and positive emotions. Sewing can provide all of these things, as you move your hands and fingers, chat with other sewists or quilters online or in person, and enjoy the process and outcome of your work.
Sewing can improve your self-esteem by enhancing your skills, confidence, and sense of identity. When you sew, you learn new techniques, challenge yourself with different projects, and overcome obstacles and mistakes. You also get to express your personality, style, and values through your fabric choices, patterns, and designs. Sewing can help you discover and appreciate your strengths and talents, and feel good about yourself.
Sewing can prevent cognitive decline by stimulating your brain and keeping it active. Sewing involves planning, problem-solving, decision-making, attention to detail, memory, and concentration. These cognitive skills can help you maintain your mental sharpness and prevent or delay the onset of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.

As you can see, sewing has many benefits for your mental health. But how can you make sewing or crafting a part of your daily routine? Here are some tips that might help:

Set a specific time for sewing or crafting every day. It could be in the morning, afternoon, or evening, depending on your schedule and preference. Try to stick to this time as much as possible, and treat it as a priority and a commitment.
Find a dedicated space for sewing or crafting in your home. It could be a room, a corner, a table, or a closet. Make sure it is comfortable, organized, well-lit, and inspiring. Having a designated space for sewing or crafting can help you get into the mood and avoid distractions.
Choose projects that suit your skill level, interest, and budget. Don’t start something that is too difficult, boring, or expensive for you. Pick something that is challenging enough to keep you engaged, but not so hard that it frustrates you. Choose fabrics, patterns, and colors that appeal to you and match your style.
Join an online or offline community of sewists or quilters. You can find many groups on social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, or YouTube. You can also join local clubs or classes in your area. Being part of a community can help you learn from others, share your work and feedback, get support and encouragement, and make new friends.
Have fun and enjoy the process! Don’t worry too much about the outcome or perfection. Remember that sewing or crafting is supposed to be fun and relaxing, not stressful or competitive. Enjoy the journey of creating something with your own hands, and celebrate every step along the way.

I hope this article has inspired you to sew or craft more often, and to appreciate the benefits of sewing for your mental health.