DIY has lately become quite common. A lot of people have started renovating their homes and furniture on their own instead of buying new ones or calling in a handyman. It might be due to better availability of tools and raw materials or could be due to the sky-high prices of services. Whatever the reason is, science says that DIY is great for mental health. You will notice people who do regular DIYs seem more content and peaceful. Therapy is definitely important for severe mental health issues, but a healthy hobby keeps your mind fresh as well. Following are some of the reasons science proves DIY to be helpful.
Break from devices
The top reason is that DIY keeps you away from the online world. Constant usage of electronic devices and being present in the online world can take a serious toll on your mental wellbeing. People often don’t show the lower aspect of their lives on social media; seeing great things all the time could make you question your own circumstances. It could make you anxious and frustrated with any type of issues going on in your life. Even though people online also have quite a lot of struggles, but they just choose to show their happy part of life. And that is fine too!
Comfort at home
Recent times have been extremely tough with back-to-back lockdown and curfews. The fear of catching the virus keeps you home even if there is no lockdown. Such situations make it hard to stay happy and content indoors all the time. DIYs let you find solace at home. Since it is a time-consuming activity, you need multiple days to complete it. You stay engaged for most of your day and don’t get negative thoughts while sitting with nothing to do.
Feeling accomplished
Completing a DIY project gives a sense of accomplishment. When you accomplish something big, you feel confident. It is extremely important to have the feeling of being able to do something. The more you get the feeling of accomplishment, the more your mind will feel useful and calm.
Involvement of your hands
You have to use your hands for completing any DIY project. The latest technology and automatic machines for every chore have minimized the involvement of our hands in daily life, and that is not very good for the mind. According to research carried out by a neuroscientist, “using your hands play a key role in both preventing the onset of and building resilience against depression and other emotional disorders.”Hence why our ancestors were much more happy and content with life even the little resources that were available at that time.
Family bonding
DIY could be a great way to have healthy bonding with other family members. It could be a father-son duo or mother-daughter duo. Even couples can enjoy DIY projects and bond really well meanwhile. When there is healthy discussion over what to do and what to avoid, similar goals, fun, and help in a task together love and respect increase ten folds. You can understand each other better and have a better level of comfort with them. And that is obviously very healthy for any relationship in the longer run.
Self-sufficiency
Practice makes a man perfect, and DIY makes you self-sufficient. In the beginning, you will be doing one project only, but with all the positive outcomes you will get intrigued to do more. This way you will try to do and fix everything around the house on your own and hence learning to be self-sufficient. Usually, we call handymen for small things, but once we get over our fear of messing up we tend to at least try doing everything on our own.
Learning to be flexible
No housing project can go exactly like the plan. There will be abrupt situations and mishaps that you will have to deal with. It teaches flexibility and preservance. You will learn how to handle unwanted situations better. It will also teach you how to not take everything to your head, and just go with the flow. Accepting the mishaps is one of the major steps of having a happy and peaceful mind.
Physical exercise
Physical exercise is great to freshen up your mind and body and we all know that. DIY projects require physical efforts and cover-up for physical exercise. After a full day of tiring DIY, you will obviously sleep well and wake up fresh the next day. A sound sleep is the most important thing for the effective functionality of the mind and body.
Healthy distraction
DIY also keeps you distracted quite positively. Whether you woke up at the wrong side of the bed or have something going on, you can distract your mind healthily through DIY. Healthy distractions are important to avoid conflicts and quarrels with other people. It gives you space to think and register anything that is bothering you.
DIY is definitely an excellent hobby. It will not only save you hundreds of bucks but will bring you peace and contentment as well.
