Best craft for anxiety

[HearMeRawwr]

I suffer terribly with anxiety on an evening and tend to just take myself to bed at 7 to shut out the world. I'm on the right meds but haven't learnt to sit with my feelings yet, counselling starts in january, yay! I cant crochet for the life of me, I find colouring too passive. I need to occupy my hands and eyes so TV and reading are also too passive. Any ideas?

Crochet is great for anxiety, I taught myself last year when I was struggling with my anxiety. I don't do things that need a pattern, I do granny square blankets, not individual squares, just one big one that grows & grows. I can sit & watch television or listen to music while I am doing it & don't need to concentrate much.

Definitely needle felting. It’s fairly easy to create something nice, particularly if you start with a decent kit, Lincolnshire felts are good. Repetitive stabbing motions are soothing.

Sewing, specifically clothes, and jewellery making for me. Both can be started easily and reasonably cheaply and there are lots of free resources online that - if you want them to - can fill hours with reading and planning. As you build up experience, both crafts can become as absorbing and complicated as you want or need them to be. Within a short time you can start to create completely original wearable items that are entirely to your taste and fit. Both are a great skill to have as you are able to repair or repurpose items that you already own, and both allow you to make unique gifts for others, often for less that you would pay in the shops. I love both, but ultimately, it's a very personal choice - maybe you'll have to try a few different things before you hit on the craft that feels right for you. x

Another vote for cross stitch, (counted not printed) I find it helps with my anxiety tremendously. Also my psychiatrist once found me doing it in the waiting room and commented that he wished he could prescribe it to people.

Rag rugging

Zenbroidery

Another one suggesting cross-stitch.

Jigsaws are good too. Either actual ones or there are jigsaw apps.

I would suggest needle felting too. I do crochet, but find knitting too stressful. Papercutting is also really good, and I can loose hours when cutting a detailed picture.

I see rag rugging already mentioned but I agree! It's easy to get material in charity shops, can ask them what they have that's not fit for sale, which also gives you a little excuse to go and talk to some people but only for a short while. Then create your pattern, something simple like a rainbow would be nice. The variation between cutting your rags, designing the pattern and stitching makes it more interesting. And you really can't go wrong! Satisfying, simple and engrossing.

Can anyone suggest a good cross stitch starter kit please?

@CarollaKerala have a look on Etsy. There's lots of small simple kits on there. It's easy to do. Have a look on YouTube if you're not sure.

Hobbycraft also sell some basic kits

I started learning a new language. Not a craft as such but it keeps my mind occupied and I feel like I'm achieving something.

Yes, I am learning a language on Duolingo, definitely helps calm me, I do it before bed.

Get a knitting loom! I gave up with actual knitting with needles as every time I put it down I confused myself and messed it up.

Learnt how to loom a hat in literally minutes and made one in well under an hour! Can do quite a few things with different looms!

I also suffer with anxiety and looming keeps me calm and helps me focus on something when I’m feeling panicky.