Why Pottery At-home Kits Can Help with Anxiety

When it comes to combatting symptoms of anxiety, pottery is a common form of art therapy. And thankfully, pottery classes and kits make it easy to enjoy the therapeutic benefits of working with ceramics on your own terms, without the hassle of finding a studio that's close to home. Learning how to make pottery has long been considered an effective method of lowering mental stress and improving overall wellbeing. It also works wonders on your joints, but that’s another story! Ready to cultivate calm and enjoy the present moment? Read on to discover how DIY pottery kits can help you manage anxiety...

Learning how to make pottery is proven art therapy

Over the past few decades, art therapy has gained a lot of traction within the medical community. Combining art with psychology, art therapy’s aim is to help people explore their own self-awareness, reduce stress and resolve internal emotional conflict. Understandably, some emotions are hard to quantify with words, which is why art therapy focuses on allowing individuals to express themselves in alternative and artistic ways. What's more, art therapy is one of the best things to do at home for your mental wellbeing and requires no prior experience.

Although DIY pottery kits are still relatively new, the concept of art therapy has been around since the early 20th century. From humble beginnings in New York in 1915, art therapy has grown in popularity since and since been found to have a positive impact on people of all ages who suffer from mental health-related issues. While it's used to treat individuals with severe PTSD and trauma-related issues, art therapy is also a wonderful safe haven for sufferers of anxiety-related disorders. As part of a broader management program, DIY pottery is an easy yet empowering way for people with anxiety to have a positive impact on their own mental health. While heading to a local pottery class is a great option, getting crafty with clay and learning how to make pottery at home is a perfect (and inexpensive) place to start.

What does anxiety "look" like?

Anxiety manifests differently for everyone and takes on many shapes and forms depending on individual circumstances. Generalised Anxiety Disorder tends to present in the form of sudden irritability, frequent fatigue, an inability to focus and sleeplessness. In isolation, these symptoms are nothing to worry about, but a combination of three or more (particularly when combined with a negative inner monologue) can be signs of GAD. 

Sometimes anxiety can be debilitating and severely impact the day-to-day life of chronic sufferers. For other people, however, anxiety presents more sporadically, especially when triggered by external factors like work or family stress. Notably, all forms of anxiety require management of some kind and should be assessed by a healthcare practitioner. 

Why pottery kits can be an effective tool for anxiety management

Art therapy comes in many different forms, which is why finding the one that works best for you is important. Our arts and craft kits are an effective tool for anxiety management because they allow you to express yourself on your own terms. While some people benefit from hands-on guidance, learning to master an artistic medium by yourself is a fun way of exploring your own abilities and expressing yourself in your own living space. If you find that certain social situations exacerbate your anxiety, DIY pottery is one of the best things to do at home in a safe and familiar environment. 

If you’re struggling with anxiety, coming up with effective indoor activities to help you manage is a great tool to have in your mental health tool kit. We recognise that beginning a new creative journey can feel daunting, regardless of the medium, which is why our DIY pottery kits are a fantastic way for you to dip your toes in without the pressure of entering a new social space for the first time. Sidenote: here's another reason you should try pottery kits at home the next time you're looking for fun indoor activities. 

A final note on anxiety management

Learning how to manage your anxiety is an exceptionally personal experience, but we always recommend seeking out the guidance of your chosen healthcare practitioner to ensure you're in good hands. Alongside support from your friends and family, there are many achievable things you can do to ensure you're supporting your wellbeing in the most effective way possible. 

Although it may sound simple, maintaining a regular exercise routine is one of the best things to do when it comes to anxiety management. Prioritise daily movement and be sure to get a healthy dose of fresh air and sunlight every single day. Combine this with a balanced diet full of plants, protein and healthy fats along with regular sips of H20 throughout the day. 

Mindfulness and meditation are two important practices that may help with symptoms of anxiety. By using an app like Headspace or learning to control your breathing using a simple counting technique, you can establish an effective coping mechanism and practice de-escalation techniques when you feel your anxiety start to creep up on you. If you find meditation too daunting or difficult, pottery at-home kits are a wonderful way to unwind and switch off while keeping your hands busy. By combining mindfulness with movement, you can both relax into the activity while allowing your mind to slow down and focus on the present moment. 

When combined with regular exercise, balanced nutrition and an expert-led care plan, our craft kits for adults can assist in managing symptoms of anxiety no matter where you are in Australia. Whether you’re isolating in Melbourne or running around in Perth, you can learn how to make pottery at home and soothe your stress from the comfort of your living room.