The mental health charity Mind has released new research suggesting that spending too much time on social media is affecting our moods, particularly among younger adults.

Research evidence from the British Journal of Occupational Therapy suggests that craft activities, when done on a regular basis, can improve mood and increase feelings of relaxation, so Mind is calling on people of all ages to get creative and sign-up to hold their own Crafternoon.

Crafternoon is in its fourth year now and originally grew out of several of Mind's fundraisers doing craft-themed events.

Mind loved this idea and created a guide and templates so more people, regardless of whether they were novices or experienced crafters, had the resources they needed to go on and hold their own Crafternoons.

How social media affects our moods

The general population poll of 2,051 people found that almost half of people aged 18 to 24 (49%) say that spending too much time on social media negatively affects their mood, higher than any other age group.

In stark contrast to this, the research also found that almost seven in ten people aged 18 to 24 (68%) find that doing something creative lifts their mood.

Four in ten people aged 25 to 34 (41%) and almost the same aged 35 to 44 (37%) also agreed that too much time spent on social media negatively affected their mood.

However, doing something creative could be a great antidote, as almost seven in ten (69%) 25 to 34 year olds agree that getting creative boosts their mood.

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Mind charity Crafternoon

Host your own Crafternoon with Mind

Regardless of age or location, Mind is encouraging people to take a break from social media to get together with friends, family or workmates and put on their own Crafternoon, the largest craft-based mental health fundraiser in the country.

Crafternoon is part of Mind’s festive fundraising drive and means getting together with friends, family or colleagues and holding an afternoon of creative fun. Whether it is card making, knitting, crocheting, or bauble making, previous research suggests crafting of all kinds can be good for our mental health.

Whether you organise a Crafternoon at work, school or at home, inviting everyone you know to enjoy a fun, craft-themed event while raising funds for a good cause can boost both your mood and your wellbeing. Lots of people have told Mind they find creative activities like colouring in and needlework particularly therapeutic because they help you relax and unwind, focus on producing something and can even offer the chance to spend more time with loved ones.

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