In the United States, anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness, and affect 40+ million U.S. adults over the age of 18, or about 1 in 5 adults.
Have you ever heard the old expression, "idle hands are the devil's workshop"? If you're feeling anxious or distressed, pottery can help you focus your energy. "Creativity in and of itself is important for remaining healthy, remaining connected to yourself and connected to the world," says Christianne Strang, a professor of neuroscience at the University of Alabama Birmingham and the former president of the American Art Therapy Association in an article featured on NPR.
Pottery with a Purpose Founder, Samantha Hoff’s own lifelong battle with generalized anxiety and corporate burnout is a familiar one. Originally working as a data analyst, she eventually realized the world of tech wasn’t where she wanted to spend her time, and didn't align with her values. Samantha found an outlet in crafts and creativity for her anxiety.
“I always had a knack for the craftier things in life and found pottery to be mentally soothing. As someone who has a hard time staying present, the immersive nature of pottery helps take me back to my senses, back into my body, and into the here and now" says Hoff. “From the very beginning, it was important to me to create a brand that was eco-conscious while also supporting mental health initiatives. I believe our environment + its health have a big impact on our mental wellness, so we need to do what we can to protect + regenerate nature.”
The healing power of pottery has helped the entrepreneur continue to manage her anxiety and educate others about the importance of slowing down. Pottery With A Purpose helps customers find a useful and meaningful escape.
Introduce a PWAP Pottery Kit into your self-care routine and encourage mindfulness. The cherry on top is the sense of accomplishment from making something beautiful with your own two hands! Pottery has been around for thousands of years and is a therapeutic art form that can now provide relief from work-induced stress, technology overload and even FOMO on social media.
“Find your creative outlet. And even if you don’t consider yourself to be artistic, having a hobby that allows you to express yourself is a key for boosting your mood.” - Well + Good
