In the previous article, we discussed two major healing effects of DIY: breaking the anxiety cycle through "focused immersion" and filling the sense of meaninglessness through "creating tangible value". But the healing charm of DIY goes far beyond this—it can also repair the physical and mental wear and tear caused by the fast-paced life through "slowing down the rhythm". The "worship of speed" in modern society has made us accustomed to "instant gratification"—takeout delivered in 30 minutes, instant message replies, and next-day courier delivery. While this "speed" improves efficiency, it also keeps our physical and mental states in a long-term "stress state" with persistently high cortisol (stress hormone) levels. DIY, however, is an art of "slowness": sewing a piece of clothing may take a few days, and sanding a wooden plate may take a few weeks. This process cannot be accelerated or perfunctory.
Alice Miller, a German psychologist, pointed out in her book "The Drama of the Gifted Child" that "the focused experience of slowing down is an important way to repair psychological trauma and relieve stress". When we immerse ourselves in the slow rhythm of DIY, our breathing will naturally slow down, our heart rate will stabilize, and our cortisol levels will gradually decrease. This is why many people love knitting—the repetitive crocheting movements are similar to a kind of "dynamic meditation", which can gradually relax tense nerves. A study by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) found that after 15 minutes of engaging in repetitive manual activities (such as knitting and sewing), the average cortisol level of the subjects decreased by 17%, and this "stress relief effect" can last for 2-3 hours. For people who have been in a high-pressure state for a long time, the slow rhythm of DIY is a "buffer" for the body and mind, allowing us to break free from the state of "being pushed forward by life" and regain control of the pace of life.
It is worth noting that the healing power of DIY is not a "one-time emotional release", but can enhance psychological resilience in the long run. Psychological resilience refers to an individual's ability to resist adversity and adapt to pressure. The process of DIY itself is a kind of "small adversity challenge": you may encounter problems such as crooked stitches, incorrect part assembly, or baking failures, which require us to adjust patiently and try repeatedly. This experience of "learning from small setbacks and succeeding through repeated attempts" will make us gradually understand that "imperfection is the norm" and accumulate "confidence in solving problems".
Psychological research from McGill University in Canada shows that people who engage in DIY for a long time have a stronger "coping efficacy" when facing life setbacks—they are more likely to believe that "I have the ability to solve this problem" rather than falling into the negative thinking of "I can't do it". The improvement of this psychological resilience can fundamentally enhance our "immunity" against anxiety, allowing us to maintain a relatively stable emotional state even when encountering pressure in a fast-paced life.
In an era where everyone pursues "speed", we don't have to force ourselves to "keep up with the pace". Occasionally slow down, pick up a piece of fabric, a tool, and make something of your own with your own hands—no need to pursue perfection, no need to care about efficiency, just enjoy the process of creation. When you focus on the ups and downs of stitches, the texture of wood, or the softness of dough, anxiety will dissipate unconsciously, and you will re-feel the warmth of life and regain control of yourself. As Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi said: "Flow experience is the source of happiness", and DIY is a convenient path to this happiness.
If you haven't tried DIY yet, start with the simplest things: sew a small wallet, bake a small cookie, or assemble a small storage box. You will find that healing anxiety never means "escaping from life", but re-establishing a connection with life and reconciling with yourself through creation.
