Calm Your Mind by Working with Your Hands (16 Ways)

If you’ve been looking for ways to calm your mind and give your brain a break, you’ve probably heard that you should start a meditation practice. You may have even heard it from me, if you’re a frequent visitor. You may have read that you could try yoga (again, maybe even from me).

I don’t really do yoga or the traditional idea of meditation anymore (though I used to, and talked about them here a few times: thoughts on 30 days of yoga, thoughts after another 30 days a year or so later), but in looking for ways to relieve anxiety and feel present in my body over the years, I’ve found that working with your hands is a good way to calm your mind.

Not to mention, it’s rewarding because you usually get to exercise your creativity and have something to show for the time spent in the end.

Ways to calm your mind and relieve anxiety

Working with your hands to calm your mind and relieve anxiety doesn’t really mean you need to brush up on your carpentry skills (if you enjoy that kind of work, though, you can use it this way).

Use The Mind Remedy by Ruth Williams

I received a book, called The Mind Remedy by Ruth Williams, in exchange for a review. It fits perfectly with this post because it’s full of ideas for things to make and use when you’re anxious or just want to focus your mind. You’ll calm your mind while you work and then, in most cases, use the item to relieve anxiety later, too.

The book also gives the fascinating backstory behind the items you can make. For example, did you know that wind chimes were hung in Roman times to ward off evil spirits? I was nerding out the whole time I read it.

I love how easy it is to flip through the book and find simple new projects to do. Quite a few of them are tied to Christian tradition (like making a Christmas wreath), but I should point out that there are some activities rooted in other religions and belief systems, as well. Not all of the activities are religious or spiritual, like making a fidget toy, so there’s plenty for everyone to enjoy.

Cook something

I know, I’m groaning, too. I don’t mean you have to make a fancy dinner with three sides and a perfectly roasted chicken. Find a cookie recipe. Make that. See something you want to change in it? Try it. Have fun. Enjoy mixing the dough with your hands.

When they’re ready, don’t be distracted. Really taste that first cookie, still warm from the oven. Think about how the flavors work together. How’s the texture? Share with someone and invite them into a good, uplifting conversation, if possible.

If you really want a fun challenge that ends in a delicious brunch (or any meal, I won’t judge), try the biscuits and gravy recipe in the Cravings cookbook by Chrissy Teigen (I reviewed it here).

You won’t have a chance to get lost in your thoughts, there’s so much going on, and working with the dough is very hands-on. Plus the smells and flavors alone are enough to lock you into the present reality. If you’re like me, you’ll probably need a nap after you eat your share, though.

Clean something

I’m groaning again. Are you? If you’re clearing clutter or removing a pile of dirty dishes from your line of vision, though, the repetitive motion and physical activity are helping your body to rest and wind down. You’ll calm your mind and improve your space at the same time.

There’s an added benefit, too: Less clutter and clean, shiny surfaces could lead to less anxiety in the long run. Plus the reward of being done with the task (and the physical activity alone) will give you a happy boost.

You can declutter your mind by decluttering your space. It’s one of my go-to practices. My house is never cleaner than when I have a million mental tasks to work through, all competing for attention.

Engage in an activity with a loved one

If you’re in a relationship, play a silly game or do an activity together. If you have kids, play a game with them (maybe even create your own game from scratch!). Card games are great and generally move quickly, so you can get your mind engaged and focused, interact with someone you love, feel the cards in your hands, and not be required to exert a lot of energy you may not have. I mentioned some. of my favorites in my post of 21 random things that make life better.

Fold laundry

This might be the most mundane thing on the list, other than washing dishes/cleaning something. But it really can help you busy your hands in a rhythmic way; it always calms me down so much, I find myself somewhere between proud of my productivity and ready for a nap by the time I’m done (I have yet to work out the small loads of laundry throughout the week thing, so I have laundry “DAY” for real, when it all gets done at one time). All the smoothing down of fabric will add yet another sensory element to the chore.

Spend time with a dog or cat

If you have a dog or cat (or more than one), spend a little extra time with them. Pet them, play fetch or frisbee, train them… They’ll enjoy the attention and you’ll get the benefits of a calmer mind and uplifted spirit. Pets can help with stress, anxiety, depression, loneliness, and so much more.

If you don’t have a pet, check out a local shelter. If you don’t have one because you can’t have one right now (for a reason other than allergies), consider pet-sitting for friends, visiting a local shelter to volunteer, or even trying a short-term foster situation (some shelters will let you take a dog home for a weekend or holiday, just to give him or her a break from the shelter and gather more insight into the dog’s personality so they can match them with potential adopters.

Knit or crochet

This is–or at least used to be–a common remedy for a person who needed to calm her mind. Don’t be intimidated! Just watch a few YouTube videos to learn how to get started and then keep watching them to teach yourself how to create simple projects.

Once you’ve got a handle on the basics, you can get as creative as you’d like.

Whittle

I have no idea how to do this, though I did try once or twice when I was younger. There are YouTube videos on this, too, if you’re interested in learning. You don’t need much to get started, and you’ll have something to put on display, give away, or even sell by the time you’re done.

Paint…with your fingers

Painting is a good way to calm your mind anyway, but when you add an extra layer to the experience–using only (or mostly) your fingers to spread the paint on the page or canvas–you immerse yourself even more in the experience. Feeling the paint, the paper or cloth, and having total control over where the color goes can give even more meaning to the experience.

Sculpt something out of clay

This is one that I love to try but it usually ends in mild disappointment until I remember that it doesn’t have to be perfect and the experience alone was worth something. I have enjoyed making coil pots in the past because they’re pretty simple and fun to create.

Try canning

Okay, so I’m recommending this one even though I’ve never done it because I know it’s something you have to do with your hands, it’ll engage your mind, and you’ll have something to show for it that’s a blessing to you, your family, and any friends you decide to share with later. It also seems to go hand-in-hand with gardening, which is another good activity for calming your mind and working with your hands. If you have any tips on how to get started, please drop them in the comments for me because I’d love to learn more.

Plant something and maintain it

This could go with the canning tip above, but if you want to get into flowers, cacti, succulents, or just a few different herbs on the windowsill, go for it. I know some plants require a lot less maintenance than others, but if this is the start to a new hobby, you’ll have plenty to take care of soon and the fact that they’re low-maintenance still won’t let you off the hook. 🙂

Do your makeup in a new, creative way

If you don’t have to go out, why not take some time to calm your mind while working on your makeup skills and making yourself feel beautiful? Is there a celebrity who always wears makeup looks that you love? Search for a tutorial and use what you have to create a similar look for yourself.

You could just experiment with a new technique or set out on a quest to find the technique that will give you an effect you want (maybe you want to look more awake when you’re tired, for example).

Fix something that’s broken (or throw things away)

I can’t be the only person with a place where to-be-fixed items just…sit, waiting to be fixed, waiting for a day that’s–let’s be honest–probably never going to come. I have a spot on the counter in the kitchen where old toys and other random things just hang out and wait for me to have time to make them like new again.

Fix one or two of those things or at least clear out the clutter and throw the things away that you know, deep down, you’ll never repair for one reason or another. Either one will lead to a sense of accomplishment and a calmer mind.

Start a scrapbook

If you’re like me, knowing you have hundreds of pictures (printed and on devices) that need to be organized probably bugs you at some level. You could just put them all in a photo album (a real one, not online, though backups aren’t a bad idea), but if you have a creative streak and really want to calm your mind, you can make your photo collection even more exciting by creating different layouts and designs in a scrapbook.

Take the time to massage lotion into your skin after a shower

This is one that doesn’t take a ton of preparation or materials. All you have to do is take a shower and have lotion. Bonus if it’s ultra-hydrating, easy to spread, and has a fragrance you love.

Once you’re fresh out of the shower, just take a moment to put lotion on your body. Don’t just slap on a tiny bit and spread it, missing spots because you’re in a hurry. Really take the time to nourish your skin.

Keep your mind engaged and don’t absentmindedly miss spots. Give the lotion time to sink in before you get dressed (if you have a fluffy robe you love, now’s its time to shine). You’ll be surprised by how much more relaxed and even confident you feel once you’ve taken that few minutes to pamper yourself.

This one doesn’t take a ton of planning and doesn’t require a ton of extra time, so it’s good for people who aren’t used to stepping back from never-ending daily demands to do something specifically for calming the mind.

We need to do manual activities to thrive

In addition to using these manual activities to calm your mind, anyone can use them to thrive.

As we become a society that depends more and more on the digital, intangible things and people spend even more time behind screens for work, our mental health and creativity can suffer. Exploring Your Mind does a wonderful job of looking at this idea in more depth.

We have to spend time working with our hands to live our most joyful lives possible. Calm your mind, boost your mood, and live life to the fullest by being hands-on with the ways you pass the time.

What do you do to calm your mind? Is there anything on this list you feel the urge to try?