Looking after ourselves
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09-09-2016 08:31 PM
09-09-2016 08:31 PM
hobby therapy
hi all, im not sure if this post is in the right area, anyway i had an appointment with my psychologist today and we some how ended up talking about therapies that were used on as a child and how i still use them today mainly art and craft therapy like origami, knitting and crochet, beading and colouring in as it still helps me find my calm she called it hobby therapy just wondering if anyone else has does a similar thing
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09-09-2016 08:46 PM
09-09-2016 08:46 PM
Re: hobby therapy
Hi @Former-Member, I'm not sure if it's technically a therapy. I wonder if she using was using the terms like 'retail therapy'. Not 100% certain though. Anyone else have any thought/info about this?
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09-09-2016 09:27 PM
09-09-2016 09:27 PM
Re: hobby therapy
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10-09-2016 05:48 AM
10-09-2016 05:48 AM
Re: hobby therapy
Hi @Former-Member@Kurra@CherryBomb
I would say that handcrafts like knitting, crochet & beading, also colouring would come under the the category of art therapies. This is a valid and effective part of treatment for a range of mental and physical conditions.
Dr Eric Cunningham Dax was a well known Melbourne psychiatrist who pioneered the use of art as a treatment modality for mental illness. There is a gallery in Melbourne dedicated to this work.
Expressing emotions, mental and physical internal states via creativity is often a safer and gentler way to do therapy. Sometimes the words do not come but one can draw a symbol or make a colour that expresses the internal state. It unlocks another language and part of the mind & heart that promotes healing.
Many famous artists had mental illness and yet produced amazing paintings or works of music that continue to move and inspire us. I wouldn't dismiss the power of "hobby" therapies.
Personally I love watercolour and waterlillies 🙂
Frog
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10-09-2016 08:15 AM
10-09-2016 08:15 AM
Re: hobby therapy
Music therapy is very similar in the way it can unlock seemingly lost abilities. The word 'hobby' is obviously the same concept but it threw me off the mark completely.
It's good to know that I'm still learning!
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10-09-2016 05:00 PM
10-09-2016 05:00 PM
Re: hobby therapy
Hi @Former-Member
When I was in a psych ward in July I started to take up knitting. I used to knit little things as a child but nothing big. But i started to knit a scarf. I found that while knitting i am calm, i feel in control and i enjoy what i am doing. So far i have knitted 3 scarves, and 3 knitted bags. I tried art therapy in hospital but didn't enjoy it as it was too triggering for me and i would leave crying.
I also enjoy colouring in.
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21-09-2016 03:58 AM
21-09-2016 03:58 AM
Re: hobby therapy
Given that the whole world seems to have discovered colouring there are now some incredible books around. M x
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03-10-2019 06:18 PM
03-10-2019 06:18 PM
Re: hobby therapy
One hobby I used to have years ago when I was working and in good health,I used to love going out to the new display homes to look at the new homes by various builders and even transportable home builders too.I would look through their floorplans while I looked through each home.I'd take those brochures,etc home and built up a big collection of floorplans.I still have a collection of my favourite builders floorplans.Most of those builders closed down over the years for various reasons.Even whilst I was in a relationship I managed to continue my hobby.I miss those days. Years later I was able to buy books online that were floorplan books.Over 500 homes.I had 3 of those books. I gave them away recently.I loved that hobby with a passion. Did anyone else ever do that?