织毛衣、画画、做木工……亲手制作工艺品很有满足感。不少人都以做手工为业余爱好,一方面可以锻炼动手能力、激发创造力并增添生活乐趣,另一方面也可以改善心理健康。

BBC英语阅读和听力:The Benefits of Craft Making 做手工的好处

词汇:craft 手工

Are you good with your hands? Many of us like to make things which we can use or give as gifts. Crafting is certainly a hobby that’s seen a resurgence, and those who pursue it claim getting creative improves their mood.

The recent lockdowns caused by the Covid pandemic gave people time at home to try out new activities, which they’ve continued to enjoy. Many turned to hobbies such as craft making as a way to soothe their work-from-home burnout. Knitting, crocheting, pottery and painting are all crafts that have seen a revival, and many of them are being done by younger people.

But even before the pandemic, people were turning to arts and crafts as an interesting pastime and even a way to make a bit of pocket money. Numerous websites, such as Etsy and Folksy, allowed people to sell their handmade goods. Richard Sennett, author of the Craftsman, told the BBC that: “A lot of people are finding their day jobs pretty empty, whereas learning a craft provides a real satisfaction. It’s a skill – things like carpentry and weaving are mentally and physically stimulating, and people get inherent pleasure out of that kind of work”.

The internet has also been the place to turn to to buy craft kits which help you get started with your craft-making projects, such as candle making or macrame. But many people are enjoying designing and making things from scratch and are doing it just for pleasure or to occupy their minds – and there’s evidence that it’s good for us as well. According to research commissioned by BBC Arts, even the briefest time spent on a creative pastime such as painting, pottery or playing the piano, has an impact on our wellbeing and emotions. The survey of around 50,000 people found being creative can help avoid stress, free up mind space and improve self-development, which helps build self-esteem.

So, if you’re looking for the perfect tonic for your stressed-out life, maybe now’s the time to get creative.

词汇表good with your hands 手巧crafting 手工制作hobby 兴趣爱好creative 创造性的,创意的craft making 做手工knitting 针织crocheting 钩织pottery 陶艺painting 绘画revival 再度流行arts and crafts 美术与工艺pastime 消遣活动handmade 手工制作的satisfaction 满足感carpentry 木匠活,木工weaving 编织craft kit 工艺套装candle making 制作蜡烛macrame 编绳,编结from scratch 从零开始