Sewing and Quilting are Therapy

September is National Self Care Awareness month and today just happens to be National Women’s Health and Fitness day!

#sewingismytherapy #quiltingismytherapy #sewingselfcare #selfcaresewingwithsmilespinners 

1.      Sewing is mindful and meditative. Your focus is on the present and on your project. Being creative is incredible for your wellbeing, it provides and outlet to focus your energy and created an enormous sense of accomplishment
2.      Working on a project provides a distraction from negative thoughts. When you’re lost in a project and really focusing on putting together a quilt block, or cutting out your fabric, you have to really concentrate, your brain has no time to focus on the negative and stressful thoughts that arise
3.      Quilting and sewing are both very social activities. We all have spent a lot of time being isolated over the last year and a half and feeling part of a community, either in person or virtually creates a sense of positivity and belonging. Take a class, or better yet, come to our free Common Thread Coffee hour once per month.
4.      Creating something with your own hands fosters a sense of achievement. Working on little tasks one at a time gives you a chance to focus on every step of the creative process. Remember that just reading your pattern is something to be proud of! Choosing fabrics that you love is exciting, and watching your project come together with each step is empowering.

Below are some links that offer more information about the creative connection to a calmer you.

https://happiful.com/how-sewing-can-support-your-mental-health/

https://www.seamwork.com/magazine/2016/07/finding-flow

https://theskillcollective.com/blog/mindful-crafting

If you need help, know that you’re important and you’re not alone.

Seek help from the National Alliance on Mental Illness

The NAMI HelpLine can be reached Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET.
1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or info@nami.org