Are you truly stressed but really don’t want to take medications or quit your job or make any other drastic change to your life? It might sound simple but why not take up making some sort of craft? It is interesting to note that you don’t actually have to do the craft well; you actually can get more relaxed just by performing the process. If you happen to show some skill or talent for your chosen activity that is a bonus!

Crafts are projects or activities that need manual dexterity or get you to work with your hands to create something that brings you satisfaction. These activities can include drawing, painting, sewing, needlepoint, scrap booking, stained glass work, wood wooding, creating herbal projects and making beauty products.

Many studies have shown that considerable physical and mental benefits come from these activities. Doing a craft that you enjoy can actually drop your blood pressure and heart rate while distracting you from the factors in your life that cause pressure. Hobbies or crafts have also been documented as keeping the brain stimulated and reducing the onset of dementia and memory issues in older people.

Working with dried flowers, herbs, berries and evergreen can be a wonderful stress reliever when the holidays start to get hectic. So try making a lovely fragrant Christmas garland to adorn your home for the holidays.

• Winter themed wreaths can utilize any type of evergreen branch, ivy, boxwood, oranges or kumquats, walnuts, hazelnuts, lichen, twigs, dogwood, moss, holly, berries, eucalyptus, spider gum, heather, oak or maple leaves, pine codes, dried lavender and pomegranates. If you are using fresh fruit spray it first with a clear polyurethane varnish to preserve them almost indefinitely.


• The materials to have on hand for your garland project include your chosen greenery or anything on the above list, a wire or straw base, a reel of wire and strong scissors. You can also include a festive ribbon if it suits your taste and the occasion. If you are using a wire frame chose some interesting combination of the herbs, grasses or some other type of base plant and wire together clusters neatly and encase the frame completely.


• Simply start at the top of the frame and start wiring flowers and other garland materials to create a dense pleasing color and shape. Then select different texture materials and fill in your garland with different combination based on coordinating color themes. Keep the place you wish to hang or display your garland in mind when choosing the color palette. Although contrast can be a lovely decorative tool; clashing colors are not soothing or attractive.


• Complete your garland with a pretty Christmas patterned ribbon and enjoy the finished product or give it away as a thoughtful unique gift.