34: Crafting Through Chaos: Using Your Hands to Calm an Anxious Brain
Summary
It's evening, everyone's finally in bed, and you should be able to relax. But your brain won't stop. The racing thoughts, the tight chest, the constant hum of worry underneath everything you do. If you've noticed that your anxiety quiets when you're stitching, that the repetitive motion helps you breathe again, that working with your hands brings you back to the present moment—there's actually a reason for that.
In this episode, Kathleen explores the connection between hand crafts and anxiety management, sharing both the science behind why crafting calms an anxious brain and her personal experience using embroidery as a tool for regulation. You'll discover practical strategies for using your creative practice when anxiety hits, what to do when even crafting feels overwhelming, and how to build a creative practice that specifically supports your mental health.
You'll hear about:
Why your brain won't stop (and what anxiety looks and feels like for creative moms)
The science behind why crafting calms anxiety (repetitive motion, bilateral stimulation, grounding)
Kathleen's personal story with anxiety and how embroidery became her regulation tool
How to intentionally use crafting for anxiety management (accessible, simple, sensory-focused)
What to do when even crafting feels overwhelming (lowering the bar, five-minute approach)
Creating an anxiety-soothing practice (designated projects, calming rituals)
What this practice gives you over time (confidence, evidence, healthy coping)
An important note about professional help (crafting is a tool, not a replacement for therapy)
Takeaway: Hand crafts like embroidery aren't just hobbies—they're tools for managing anxiety and regulating your nervous system. When your thoughts are racing and everything feels chaotic, sometimes the answer is as simple as picking up your needle and making one stitch, then another, then another. Crafting gives your anxious brain something concrete to focus on, interrupts the worry spiral, and grounds you in the present moment. You're not alone, and you have more tools than you think.
More from Artsy Lyons
Start stitching with the Stitch Deck
Check out the shop: artsylyons.shop
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