Health Benefits of DIY
Can DIY really have health benefits? Do it yourself projects have been gaining popularity in recent years. From home decor to house projects, people are opting for hands-on, self-sufficient methods over traditional services. The trend is not limited to personal interests and aesthetics, it has a profound impact on one's mental and physical well-being. This article will explore the health benefits of DIY and how it can help reduce anxiety and encourage personal growth by breaking out of your comfort zone. Which is exactly what happened to me!
Tackling Anxiety Issue
The biggest health benefit DIY helps with is anxiety. Anxiety is a common mental health issue affecting millions of people worldwide. It can cause feelings of restlessness, worry, and fear, which can be debilitating and affect daily life. Sometimes it affects us, and we don’t even realize it. Which was my case.
Engaging in DIY projects can help to alleviate anxiety by providing a sense of control and accomplishment. When we undertake a project, we have the power to create something with our own hands, and this sense of control can help reduce feelings of stress and anxiety. Additionally, the process of creating something new can serve as a distraction from worries, allowing us to focus on the task at hand and let our brains rest of other things in life for a moment.
Breaking Out of Comfort Zone
Breaking out of one’s comfort zone is an important aspect of personal growth and development. I think as we grow older this health benefit starts to dwindle down in importance. By trying new things and stepping outside our comfort zone, we expose ourselves to new experiences and perspectives. This can help us to develop new skills and challenge ourselves. These health benefits of DIY help us by pushing us beyond our comfort zone and encouraging us face new emotions and situations. For me, this meant learning to control my emotions better and negative thoughts.
Physical Health Benefits
In addition to reducing anxiety and promoting personal growth, DIY projects can also provide a variety of physical health benefits. For example, crafting activities such as knitting and crocheting can improve hand dexterity and fine motor skills. Building furniture or house projects, can provide a low-impact workout with the physical effort of carrying material and all the physical movements involved. DIY projects can also provide an escape from sedentary activities, such as sitting in front of a computer, allowing us to get up and move around while enjoying a creative outlet. I used to say DIY was my workout. While it does help with getting you up and moving, I wouldn’t say it has the same heart pumping affects as if you were to actually working out. Now I do squeeze in a quick workout, but working with tools and doing house projects is so good to get you moving.
Helps in Building a Sense of Community
DIY activities also provide an opportunity to connect with others and build a sense of community. Whether you are participating in a group DIY project or doing one yourself, once that project is finished, you are proud and want to share it. Every DIYer comes together and work towards a common goal. This sense of community can help to reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness, improving mental and emotional well-being. When I say I have online friends, I really mean it, I have online friends who love sharing in the same interest I do. It’s a great feeling and one of my favorite DIY health benefits.
Final Thoughts
Whether you're a seasoned DIY enthusiast or a beginner, taking on a new project can provide a sense of fulfillment. Which is a satisfaction that can positively impact your overall well-being and health benefits.
There is no denying the fact that the benefits of DIY activities go far beyond the physical outcome of the project. DIY tasks require problem-solving and creativity which nurture health benefits from different angles.
I hope you gained some insight from these DIY health benefits. If you are feeling the need of a mental health boost to reduce anxiety and promote personal growth, start a DIY project. If you have never started a DIY project, start with a small one. If you aren’t sure where or how to start, check out my learn how to DIY masterclass.