Why our brains love arts and crafts implications of creative practices on psychophysical well-being

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Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
A1 Alkuperäisartikkeli tieteellisessä aikakauslehdessä
Date
2018-10-08
Major/Subject
Mcode
Degree programme
Language
en
Pages
Series
FormAkademisk, Volume 11, issue 2
Abstract
This article aims to integrate knowledge from the field of cognitive neuroscience and the arts by focusing on the implications that flow experience and the mirror neuron system integral to making processes have for our psychophysical well-being. Art and craft practitioners have personal experience of the benefits of making. We propose that the handling of material can help to regulate our mental states by providing a means to reach flow states. Furthermore, it seems that arts and crafts play an important role in controlling stress and enhancing relaxation. They enable us to fail safely and handle our associated emotions. It has also been proposed that the mirror neuron system helps in skill learning, and the plasticity of the brain ensures that skills may be learned at all stages of life. Finally, art and craft facilitate social activity for many individuals who are at risk of social isolation.
Description
Keywords
Art, Brain, Craft, Creative activity, Flow, Well-being
Other note
Citation
Huotilainen , M , Rankanen , M , Groth , C , Seitamaa-Hakkarainen , P & Mäkelä , M 2018 , ' Why our brains love arts and crafts implications of creative practices on psychophysical well-being ' , FormAkademisk , vol. 11 , no. 2 . https://doi.org/10.7577/formakademisk.1908