Arts and crafts can be an easy way to enhance the lives of both caregivers and their loved ones. Creative activities activate parts of the brain that enhance memory and problem-solving skills, which can reduce cognitive decline. As people focus their energies on an artistic task, levels of the stress hormone cortisol drop while happiness neurotransmitters like dopamine are released, which both reduces anxiety and increases pleasure. In addition, arts and crafts can be done in a group setting, and that social aspect adds to the fun.
Artistic activities can be as simple as messing around with paper, crayons, markers, or paints, or as tasty as decorating cookies with icing and sprinkles. Complicated endeavors like knitting, needlepoint, origami, and woodworking can offer ways to learn a new skill along with the pleasurable satisfaction of creation.
Here are some ideas to get you started:
1) Start Simple
There’s no need to buy a bunch of materials. Make your art experiment easy at first. Next time you visit Target or Costco, grab a box of crayons or markers with some paper and maybe an adult coloring book. Pull them out one day, turn on your favorite music, and see what happens—both on the paper and in your body and mind. Did it feel good to create? Did your imagination get ignited? Was your loved one able to join you? Did they enjoy the task too? If either of you found the experiment satisfying, keep looking for times to pull out the materials and enjoy.
2) Consider a Challenge
Have you always wanted to crochet a scarf or build a birdhouse in the backyard? Or perhaps you have a wall or door in your house that might be a good spot for a little mural? If you had any crafty dreams that would provide an achievable challenge, pick one and give it a try. Planning can be fun and take you into your imagination, so give yourself free reign to envision your creation. Then go to the store or order some supplies online, and get started!
3) Bring Friends
If you’re not sure how to get started, but you have at least one crafty friend, invite that person over with the plan of doing crafts together. Ask them for a few suggestions of supplies to have on hand, and make it a party with a few snacks and drinks. Then, have fun. Chat. Mess up. Laugh. Involve your loved one if possible. If you enjoy yourselves, plan for the next one. Consider making it a weekly or monthly event, so that you always have that special time to anticipate. Perhaps plan a similar date with another friend.
Whatever you do, remember the goal is enjoyment, not perfection. It doesn’t matter what you create, but it does matter that you found pleasure in the process of making it.
Thank you for reading, please share with a friend, and be well. —KK
We are grateful to have been helping caregivers in need for over 10 years thanks to the support of the many generous and caring friends who have helped make a difference in so many lives.
Please consider donating to the Kathi Koll Foundation so you can help make a difference in struggling family caregivers’ lives. Thank you!
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