Making things by hand can boost your mood and benefit others. The act of producing useful or beautiful things—especially by hand, and especially for others—provides a sense of accomplishment and purpose.
Once a project is complete, the satisfaction of seeing what you’ve made in your home, on a plate, or in the hands of a loved one outlasts more fleeting pleasures.
While many of us feel this instinctively upon completing a project or product—such as a blanket, a meal, or a painting—neuroscience and social science research back up the idea that using our hands to produce things is good for our bodies and brains….