Crafting Mental Wellness Through Pottery
Pottery. We all love it, throwing, hand-building, the lot.
Although, sometimes, we may forget what a great benefit it is for our mental wellbeing.
In the hustle and bustle of daily life, the therapeutic powers of pottery often go unnoticed.
Let’s take a moment to explore the impact this art has on our mental health…..
It’s disheartening to note that mental health impacts a significant amount of the population, a lot more than we realise.
One in four adults and one in ten children suffer from mental health issues, this only emphasises the need for increased awareness, support, and access to mental health resources.
Although so many people suffer and require help, there are limited mental health services which also come with long wait times and limited treatment options.
This is what makes the arts, i.e. pottery, so great! They benefit our mental health by allowing us to express ourselves, relax, and build social connections.
The Art of Grounding:
Let’s face it, when working with clay you are bound to get your hands dirty. However, this hands-on experience is more than just getting messy.
The tactile nature of working with clay provides a unique sensory experience that develops pottery from more than just creating beautiful pots to a grounding experience.
As you dive your hands into the wet, malleable clay your attention focuses solely on the sensation and rhythm of your movements. This experience allows you to temporarily disconnect from the overload and endless tasks of daily life, reducing stress hormones whilst promoting a sense of well-being.
When you hop on the pottery wheel and get crafty with the art of ceramics, you’ll discover that its impact goes beyond simply affecting stress hormones; it can actually assist in alleviating the signs of an anxiety attack.
Expressing Emotions through Clay:
One amazing aspect of pottery is that there is no right or wrong, when you are in the studio it is your time to explore and experiment.
Art therapy offers a unique pathway to relaxation. As your hands mold and shape the clay a sense of relaxation washes over you allowing the clay to become a form of self-expression.
In the pottery studio, it is important to remember there is no judgment and it is not just about crafting physical forms, endless possibilities are waiting to be explored.
If you are ever lacking any inspiration, watching the Great British Pottery Throw Down is a great start in getting your creative juices flowing, it may also be what encourages you to get on the potters wheel!
New Friendships and Connections:
Dopamine is a hormone that when released gives you feelings of pleasure, satisfaction, and motivation.
Attending a ceramic class can be like stepping into an adult playground where creativity has no restrictions and the joy of pottery takes the lead.
Beyond getting your hands dirty, the social aspect adds another layer of happiness to the equation. This combined with the sense of accomplishment in creating something tangible contributes to a dopamine release, infusing the experience with a delightful sense of pleasure.
Natural Pain Killers:
As pottery is a form of art therapy, it has stress-relief qualities.
While stress may be known for negatively affecting your mind, sometimes these become physical symptoms whether it’s an upset stomach, muscle aches and pains, lightheadedness, or more.
When in the ceramic studio your body says ‘bye-bye’ to Cortisol (a hormone that is like the stress messenger in your body) and as it leaves your body, stress follows with it.
Ultimately, sending a message to your muscles to relax and goodbye to those aches and pains. Luckily for you, the ceramic studio is a stress-free zone!
This is your sign to book that throw a pot session and experience firsthand the profound impact pottery can have on your mental well-being. Take a break, get your hands dirty, and then let the wheel spin you into a world of creativity. Your mental health deserves the pottery therapy treatment!