Health Benefits of Pottery

Health Benefits of Pottery

Pottery has been around for thousands of years and is a therapeutic art form that provides health benefits not only for the mind, but the body as well. 

Reduces Stress

All forms of art have physical and mental health benefits, and are helpful when it comes to reducing stress and other worries, just like playing real money pokies can be.  Creating something unique offers satisfaction and making something from clay means bringing out our creative side.  By exploring our creativity we can better connect with ourselves and the environment.  Pottery is great for all ages and there is not right or wrong way of creating something from clay.

A Mood Enhancer

Creating something is a way for many people to forget their sadness and grief, which ultimately results in improving your mood.  We can forget about our stresses and problems even if just for a short time.  We can also improve other features of our mental health such as confidence, self-expression and spontaneity.

Helps with Focusing

Instead of worrying about things in your life rather change your focus to creating something.  While you are concentrating on making something you do not allow influences from outside to affect you, and you can focus solely on your art.  By focusing on one thing you allow your mind to relax and in turn this will help you focus better in other spheres of your life.  Stress can lead to feelings of pain, and because pottery is a hobby that is known for relieving feelings of stress and helps with boosting confidence, doing pottery as a hobby can reduce this pain.

Physical Benefits

Not only are there mental benefits, but also physical benefits.  Even though pottery is not a strenuous activity it is strengthening to the hands, wrists and arms and offers health benefits for those who suffer with arthritis in their hands.

Sense of Accomplishment

Most archaeological digs all over the world have yielded wonderful works of art throughout the ages.  Many of these artefacts are made from pottery and withstood the elements, and have survived.  Any creation you make will no doubt withstand the test of time and may even later be discovered by new civilisations as they have been in the past.  You never know, your work of art may be displayed in a museum or galley years from now.  You would feel some sense of accomplishment.

A Form of Self Expression

Any type of art is a form of expressing oneself and pottery is no different.  Pottery allows you to create things from a lump of clay and as you progress and learn more you will try out new techniques and stretch your imagination as you become more creative with your work.  Not only is there creativity in the moulding of the clay, but also once the item has been fired.  You can then use more of your creativity to create something beautiful and unique that can even be useful to you or to a loved one.