The boom in remote working has meant the distinction between employees’ work and home life has become increasingly blurred. Now, 37% of Brits admit to suffering from burnout, with the labour market experiencing what is being coined as a health and safety crisis.

As methods of release and escapism become a daily requirement as opposed to a “nice to have”, one-third of time-poor Brits have sought respite in traditional crafting to alleviate mental health strain. Turning to non-medicinally stimulating dopamine fixes, the UK’s leading marketplace for crafting, LoveCrafts has found that crafting is now the number one tool for wellbeing in life. The Craft Council have additionally found there is science behind the sentiment, with participatory art-based activities enhancing our well-being, quality of life and cognitive flexibility, stimulating the release of the neurotransmitter dopamine.

Case Study: Abby of @calm.homemade
“I started Calm Homemade at the beginning of the pandemic to share the benefit of craft as a way of therapy when struggling with worry, stress, anxiety or depression. Crochet not only gave me a purpose again but added a real sense of achievement back into my life after COVID-19 hit and put the world on halt. During these unsettling and somewhat depressing times, I found myself and a lot of the fiber community turned to crochet or knitting to feel calmer, connected and feel less alone.”

The new national research by LoveCrafts, the UK’s leading craft retailer, unveils how crafting was the primary tool for alleviating the nation’s mental health struggles, serving as an instant route to happiness and relief. Reflected in this first-of-its-kind study, 29% of Brits now cite crafting as the biggest aid towards their mental health, with 17% turning to knitting, cross stitch & embroidery, and 12% turning to crochet to reap their proven benefits.

Key statistics:

20% of Brits (6.2 million) have picked up a traditional craft to ease any stress and anxiety they may have
29% of Brits (8.7 million) have used crafting as a form of escapism and mindfulness, and it has served as the biggest aid towards their mental health
17% of Brits (5.2 million) say that knitting is the craft they turn to for easing any stress and anxiety they have
12% of Brits (3.5 million) say that crocheting is the craft they turn to for easing any stress and anxiety they have
17% of Brits (5 million) say that cross stitch & embroidery is the craft they turn to for easing any stress and anxiety they have
Edward Griffith, CEO and Founder, LoveCrafts comments on the power of crafting for mindfulness and wellbeing:

“Crafting has the feel-good factor. When we make something with our own hands, it leaves us feeling relaxed, fulfilled, and proud. Whatever craft you do, knitting, crochet, embroidery, you name it, the effects on both mental and physical health have long been felt.

Our new research shows just how important crafting is in today’s society. It spurs us on, even more, with our mission to make sure no idea goes unmade! We’re here to help makers find all the materials and instructions at their fingertips, so they can live a life full of making.”