Immersing yourself in a craft is a great way to relax, and relieve the stresses of everyday life.

We are all so busy being parents, building careers, and dealing with numerous responsibilities, that we don’t take care of us! A study, conducted by the American Psychological Association, found that average stress levels in the U.S. rose since 2014, from 4.9 to 5.1 on a 10-point stress scale. Stress can cause headaches, and contribute to high blood pressure, heart problems, diabetes, skin conditions, asthma, arthritis, depression, and anxiety.

So instead of feeling guilty about setting time aside for yourself to have some fun and relax, think of time set aside as a “health serum” and a high priority.

My company “Create with Susan” is dedicated to teaching fun craft classes emphasizing the therapeutic aspect of taking just one hour of your time to escape all of life’s pressures. It is like a creative meditation time! At my classes we create personalized pieces that everyone will enjoy making and displaying in their homes, or even giving as gifts. We work on many different types of crafts and most important is that no experience is necessary and anyone can enjoy.

A CNN report titled “This is Your Brain on Crafting” shows how crafting can help those who suffer from anxiety, depression or chronic pain. Experts feel making crafts may ease stress and increase happiness by releasing neurotransmitter called dopamine. The report also explains how activities such as crafting may help to protect our brains from aging.

In addition my classes provide the added bonus of socializing and making new friends which often times is as much fun as fashioning a personal creation.

Psychology Today in a 2016 article points out numerous benefits of people socializing. Some of the benefits include living longer, enjoying better physical health, enjoying better mental health, and some reports even indicate that people who socialize may be at a lower risk for dementia.

You can come to a fun creative class at my home studio or I can come to your event or facility.

When you come to my home studio, just off Central Ave., in Hartsdale you can create with me and others in a small group. I’ll have the instructions, materials, and good people to mingle with while you make your take home creation.

I have worked with a wide range of students from children to adults. I have crafted with seniors living by themselves who come during the day and socialize with other seniors, or groups of friends who come for evening classes. Recently a group of single moms came for several evening classes and bonded by talking about what they encounter living, working, and parenting. One mother shouted during a Thursday night class “I feel so relaxed”! Making crafts together is a release.

I have a great assortment of projects to share. The Activities Coordinator at the Kensington, an Assisted Living facility, mentioned how great it is that I have so many crafts to share with their residents. She said, “They were getting tired of just doing jewelry every week!”

So why not join us? I know, you are saying, “But I’m not artistic..” Perfect! No one else who comes is either! The whole point of my classes is to just have fun but, you may also be amazed at what you do create. Don’t be surprised if you end up with a beautiful terrarium in your living room or a silk scarf you made to match an outfit, or a holiday candle you give as a gift or even a handmade jewelry piece from natural materials. To find out what’s coming up email me at Susan@CreateWithSusan.com