This Insidious Dementia
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Being a dementia caregiver is a stressful task. Having a creative hobby can provide some solace in that task. Solace is something that gives comfort, consolation, or relief. Tap into your subconscious and learn about why a hobby is good for relieving dementia caregiver stress.
The subconscious is extremely complex and often not very direct. This means that tapping into it, and the power it holds, often requires approaching it from the rear or side. One of the best ways to do this is to access your creativity.
tap into your subconscious mind
Every human being is creative. It is part of our nature. You do not have to be an exceptional artist to be creative or enjoy creating. The subconscious mind is the source of all our creativity, which means that engaging in creative pursuits inevitably taps into the subconscious.
Doing this gives you benefits that can go far beyond making art. It can help you solve problems, figure things out, come up with ideas, and more. That is all just from tapping into your subconscious mind. Creating has other benefits too, more on this in a bit, including stress reduction and relaxation. It is also fun, something that is important even when you are an adult.
Most hobbies count as creative hobbies. The traditional artistic pursuits -painting, sculpting, pottery, and so forth -are all creative, of course, but there are many more. Did you know that woodworking is a creative hobby? So is glassblowing.
Check out this cute idea I saw on Pinterest. Buttons, wire and a salt shaker. That wouldn’t take much time and you probably could get your loved one involved here too.
All of the fiber arts, from knitting to spinning, count as creative hobbies. Even adult coloring books are creative. I have a set of Clean Cuss Words coloring pages so you can color when you get really mad. You can find them in my Etsy store. Just click on the link below.
Any hobby in which you make or modify something is a creative hobby, whether it is painting pre-built figures from a hobby store, creating an oil painting from scratch, or crocheting a scarf. My dementia caregiver stress reliever was a gigantic cross-stitch Christmas scene. When my mom sat down to “watch” TV, I sat down to cross-stitch.
You can find a creative hobby to suit you no matter what your budget is or what your interests are. Look around and try different ones until you find something that catches your interest and creates that ìsparkî of creativity in you. It does not matter what you choose, as long as you choose one or more that you like.
Do pick a hobby that is different from your day job, however. If you do a lot of writing at your job, pick something not related to words. If you paint for a living, pick something that has nothing to do with paint.
why caregivers should find a creative hobby
Dementia caregiving can be demanding and stressful. It is a role that requires your time and energy. I’d go so far as to say, it was the biggest challenge in my life to date.
Tapping into your subconscious, finding and engaging in a creative hobby can be a beneficial way for caregivers to manage stress and improve your well-being.
Here are some reasons why caregivers should find a creative hobby:
It promotes relaxation. Caregiving can be emotionally and physically exhausting. Engaging in a hobby, can provide a sense of relaxation and calm. It can be an opportunity to take a break from caregiving duties and focus on something enjoyable and fulfilling.
It reduces stress and anxiety. Engaging in a creative hobby has been shown to reduce stress levels. It can be a way for caregivers to release tension and manage their emotions in a healthy way.
It boosts your mood. Hobbies can boost your mood and promote feelings of happiness and well-being. A hobby is an outlet for caregivers to express themselves and experience a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. It gets you away from the overwhelm.
It provides a sense of identity. Caregiving can overshadow other aspects of your life. Engaging in a creative hobby can help caregivers maintain a sense of identity outside of your caregiving role.
It provides a sense of purpose and meaning. It’s an opportunity for caregivers to focus on your own needs and goals.
It’s self-care. Caregiving can be all-consuming and neglecting your own self-care happens. By engaging in a creative hobby, caregivers are taking the time to focus on your own needs and promoting self-care.
It fosters a sense of accomplishment. Caregiving can sometimes feel like a thankless job. Engaging in a hobby can provide a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction, as caregivers can see the tangible results of their effort.
It can increase social connections. Caregiving is isolating and there may not be many chances of socializing or connecting with others. Joining a creative group or taking a class of some sort can provide opportunities to meet new people and build social connections.
It boosts creativity and problem-solving skills. These skills are valuable in all areas of life. Caregivers may find that their creative hobby inspires new ideas or solutions to challenges they may face in their caregiving role.
If you are able, you should engage in whatever hobby you choose regularly to get the most benefit from it. Consistency is the key to this method as with so many others. Try to set aside some time at least twice a week just for working on your hobby. Half an hour is enough to give you the benefits and help you tap into your subconscious.