If you've ever watched a scrapbook artist hard at "work," then you know that something else is going on besides the compilation of a page of pictures. Immersed in the details in front of them, hobbyists tend to block out the stressors around them, which is probably a good thing insofar as the hobby provides a relaxing respite from day-to-day demands. Done in tandem with friends or a loved one, scrapbooking also offers people a way to spend quality time together while they interact and share creative ideas.
However, don't just take the word of a scrapbook enthusiast. The Craft and Hobby Association has highlighted the "therapeutic benefits" of creating scrapbooks. The association estimates that 35% of American households contain regular scrapbookers who are benefiting from the hobby in multiple ways. And there is still one additional award: The satisfaction of a finished scrapbook, which could be shared for generations.
The benefits of scrapbooking have long been embraced by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, which launched a therapeutic scrapbooking program for parents 10 years ago. Now a study published in the Journal of Psychosocial Oncology, which analyzed the influence of the scrapbooking sessions, found that they promote hopefulness and help parents expand their support network. The study highlights a previously unknown benefit of scrapbooking.
"Even though the craft of scrapbooking is widespread, its use as a tool for mental health professionals is just developing," commented Paul McCarthy, a social worker at St. Jude Hospital. "I hope our experience at St. Jude encourages others to try it in diverse settings with a variety of different groups, both young and old."
Undoubtedly, the association and St. Jude are advocates of the "life benefits" of scrapbooking. While there are too many to present in a comprehensive list, these benefits often fall under one of five categories.
The first benefit is that of giving, or the feeling of joy experienced when a unique piece is created that requires reflective thought and shared memories.
The second is the sharing of history for people in the past, and future, to learn about important occasions, events and turning points that help to define people and families in distinctive ways.
The quiet and reflective mindset that accompanies scrapbooking is a third benefit. In a culture where medication is often a first resort for addressing anxiety, scrapbooking provides a meaningful and soothing break from the stresses of life.
The benefit of normalizing life's traumatic experiences, such as break ups, health issues and bereavement, by putting memories in a cohesive yet inspired order, is a fourth benefit. In this way, scrapbooking encourages not just expressing one's self, but also restoration of health and a sense of peace, as the people at St. Jude have realized.
In conclusion, there is the benefit of self-worth in putting the finishing touches on a signature project, which, like the human being who created it, is an inimitable creation. And this benefit, as any seasoned scrapbooker will confirm, is one of the greatest benefits of all: it is a fun, rewarding hobby that provides hours of enjoyment after the book is complete.
However, don't just take the word of a scrapbook enthusiast. The Craft and Hobby Association has highlighted the "therapeutic benefits" of creating scrapbooks. The association estimates that 35% of American households contain regular scrapbookers who are benefiting from the hobby in multiple ways. And there is still one additional award: The satisfaction of a finished scrapbook, which could be shared for generations.
The benefits of scrapbooking have long been embraced by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, which launched a therapeutic scrapbooking program for parents 10 years ago. Now a study published in the Journal of Psychosocial Oncology, which analyzed the influence of the scrapbooking sessions, found that they promote hopefulness and help parents expand their support network. The study highlights a previously unknown benefit of scrapbooking.
"Even though the craft of scrapbooking is widespread, its use as a tool for mental health professionals is just developing," commented Paul McCarthy, a social worker at St. Jude Hospital. "I hope our experience at St. Jude encourages others to try it in diverse settings with a variety of different groups, both young and old."
Undoubtedly, the association and St. Jude are advocates of the "life benefits" of scrapbooking. While there are too many to present in a comprehensive list, these benefits often fall under one of five categories.
The first benefit is that of giving, or the feeling of joy experienced when a unique piece is created that requires reflective thought and shared memories.
The second is the sharing of history for people in the past, and future, to learn about important occasions, events and turning points that help to define people and families in distinctive ways.
The quiet and reflective mindset that accompanies scrapbooking is a third benefit. In a culture where medication is often a first resort for addressing anxiety, scrapbooking provides a meaningful and soothing break from the stresses of life.
The benefit of normalizing life's traumatic experiences, such as break ups, health issues and bereavement, by putting memories in a cohesive yet inspired order, is a fourth benefit. In this way, scrapbooking encourages not just expressing one's self, but also restoration of health and a sense of peace, as the people at St. Jude have realized.
In conclusion, there is the benefit of self-worth in putting the finishing touches on a signature project, which, like the human being who created it, is an inimitable creation. And this benefit, as any seasoned scrapbooker will confirm, is one of the greatest benefits of all: it is a fun, rewarding hobby that provides hours of enjoyment after the book is complete.
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