10 Ways Crafting Reduces Stress

In today’s bustling world, taking the time for deliberate relaxation has become a modern day necessity. Between work, family life, and other responsibilities, the average person spends his day going from difficult situation to even more difficult situation. Crafting provides a great way to break out from this routine and de-stress for a little while.

Here are 10 reasons crafting is good for your mental health:

1. Crafting focuses our minds on a productive activity.

2. Crafting allows our stressful energy to be released through our hands in creative ways.

3. Crafting provides an outlet for creative problem solving, which creates the flexibility that is an essential element of stress reduction

4. Crafting, like any focused activity, creates a mild trance state which is highly conducive to relaxation and letting go of stress.

5. Crafting gives us time in our busy lives in which we can reconnect with ourselves.

6. Crafting is fun; and fun things reduce stress.

7. Crafting creates a time in which we are free from worries (about time, money, relationships, and the many other things we tend to worry about).

8. Crafting keeps us productive and when we’re productive we stress less.

9. Crafting is a great get-a-way without having to go anywhere.

10. Crafting is something we can do for ourselves (a self-care activity), and doing for ourselves (self-care activities) reduces stress.

So, the next time the stress becomes overwhelming, consider skipping the beer and chocolate, and reaching for the knitting instead!

Ben Klempner, LMSW, founder and editor of Effective Family Communication, is a trained social worker. Please visit his blog at: http://www.EffectiveFamilyCommunication.com

Read More : This And That or Home

Paper Lanterns

paper lanterns

Description : Turn a plain Paper Lantern into a unique home accessory by adding fake flowers or pom-poms.

Craft Link : Paper Lanterns

Source : Crafty Nest

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Vegetarian Sizzling Rice

sizzleing rice

My son, a normally picky eater, loves this combination of rice and vegetarian hot dogs. The trick is in the technique, not the ingredients.

Ingredients

2 cups onion-flavored brown rice, cooked and at least a day old

4 vegetarian hot dogs

1-2 tablespoons olive oil

salt, to taste

Directions

Microwave the vegetarian hot dogs for about 2 minutes, or till completely hot. Don’t overcook.

Pour 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil into a large, high quality, non-stick frying pan. Turn on heat to medium high.

While oil is heating, slit each hot dog into four lengthwise quarters. Chop each quarter into small bits, the smaller the better.

Place two cups of cold rice into a microwave bowl. Set the timer for 2-3 minutes.

When the oil is very hot, standing back to avoid being splattered, throw the bits of hot dog into the pan. The hot dog should begin to immediately sizzle and burn slightly. Allow the hot dog to cook till the pieces are dark on at least two sides.

Add the hot rice, and cook, stirring constantly for another few minutes, or until rice has absorbed the spicy flavor of the hot dogs.

Add salt, to taste.

Serve immediately.

Note: To make onion-flavored brown rice, prepare brown rice according to instructions on the wrapper but add 1 single size package of onion soup mix per cup of raw rice when the water is stirred in.

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