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Have you noticed that when you are actively using your hands for something like gardening, crafting, organizing, etc., that you feel calm and have a sense of well-being while engaged in the activity? The effort driven reward cycle is related to moving your body, especially your hands, in producing results such as knitting a sweater or making a loaf of bread. So why does your mood positively elevate when working with your hands? When our hands are in action, it gives our mind an opportunity to rest and reset. It can also be a chance to work on problems floating around in your head. Mindlessly working on something with your hands can allow you the space to problem solve and even have a-ha moments which may result in new ideas.
In this day and age of technology and all the devices we use daily, getting regular activity may be a challenge or not a priority. Finding ways to use our hands is a means to combat the sedentary lifestyle we are living as we sit behind computers, play video games, and succumb to the infinite scroll of social media. Using our hands may contribute to maintaining a healthy mood and help to build resilience. Likewise, the absence of this type of activity could contribute to feelings of irritability, indifference, lethargy, and depression.
(Read on...)
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