As an Amazon affiliate, I may earn from qualifying purchases. Please read our Disclaimer and Privacy Policy.
There are at least 5 health benefits of pottery making over 60. I’m sure there are many more, but for the purpose of this blog post, I’m going to focus on the toop 5.
Pottery making is one of the best hobbies for people of all ages, no matter your age! It’s a fun creative outlet with many mental health benefits.
A study published in the National Library of Medicine found that art therapy, including working with clay, effectively reduced anxiety levels among university students. If that’s the case, I suspect it’s safe to say that it’s a great way to reduce stress in people of all ages.
I’ve always been a creative person. In fact, I was about 10 years old when I hand-wrote a letter to a major publisher asking how I could “get published”.
Needless to say, I never heard back. I ended up writing (and eventually published) short stories. I drew, painted, and tried my hand at a few crafts.
I haven’t tried pottery, but I really want to! Now that I’m 57 and retired, pottery making seems like the perfect hobby.
It would be a great way to get out of the house and meet new people, maybe even make new friends.
I love the idea of turning a slab of clay into something I can use, sell, gift, or display as decoration fires my imagination.
Taking a pottery class would pull me away from perpetual doom scrolling and place me alongside like-minded individuals. I can understand the lure of pottery making and the huge health benefits it can bring.
I’m writing this blog post to highlight five health benefits of pottery making. The aim is to reach people my age and better, but I’m sure it can benefit anyone of any age.
How to Get Started as a Beginner Pottery Maker at Any Age
Before I get into the health benefits of pottery making over 60, I thought it would be useful to talk about where to get started. I suggest starting with a class or workshops to start.
Some pottery studios will have everything you need to create your own unique piece. In some case, the supplies are either included in the cost. If not, the instructor will likely provide you with a list of required tools.
I used to work in the Continuing Education department of a local Community College, and I know for a fact that many offer creative classes like pottery making.
Just go to their website and look for current night classes or workshops being offered.
Places to enjoy the 5 health benefits of pottery making over 60:
- Art studios and Pottery Studios
- Community Centers
- Parks and Recration Departments
- Local Art Organizations are familiar with the 5 health benefits of pottery making over 60
- Private lessons with local artisans
- Libraries and schools understand the 5 health benefits of pottery making over 60
I’m sure there are online classes available as well. It’s a good option if you can’t get out to a class, but I suspect you’ll get more from the instruction in person.
Go Deeper Than The 5 Health Benefits of Pottery Making Over 60 Through My Other Posts:
Creative Pottery Bowl Painting Ideas Using Stencils
5 Best Budget Pottery Wheels for Beginners
Cool Pottery Ideas for Beginners to Advanced Potters
How to Tell if Pottery is Valuable: Beginner Guide
7 Vital Pottery Studio Supplies, Equipment, and Tools
Is Pottery Microwave Safe? 5 Easy Ways to Check
3 Ways to Tell if Your Ceramics Are Dishwasher Safe
Basic Pottery Tools to Get Started (and start enjoying the 5 health benefits of pottery making over 60)
The best thing about taking pottery classes in a studio or classroom is that they likely already have pottery wheels and clay. That just leaves you with a few basic, inexpensive tools to get started.
Items you might find on your tool list include:
- Wooden modeling tools
- Metal rib or kidney tool
- Wooden rib tool
- Sponge
- Wire clay cutter
- Needle tool
- Loop tools
- Potter’s knife
- Banding wheel (optional but useful)
- Small paintbrushes for detailing
This list is just an idea of the tools you may need.
A beginner pottery class typically provides most of the essential tools and materials, but they may ask you to bring things like an apron, hand towel, notebook and pen, water bottle to stay hydrated, closed-toe shoes for safety, and a hair tie or hairband to keep you hair out of the way.
5 Health Benefits of Pottery Making For Folks Over 60
If you’re anything like me, you might be experiencing some joint pain from osteoarthritis. For me, it’s in the knees, the hands, and my spine. But it’s not going to stop me from doing the things I love!
I suspect the pinching and pulling of clay could be a little painful on the thumb and finger joints, but research shows that maintaining mobility through exercise is the key to managing symptoms and maintaining independence.
In light of that, I’ve done my research to put together the following five health benefits of pottery making over 60.
1. Stress Reduction Through Creative Expression
Pottery is a hands-on activity that’s great for stress relief. Working with clay and focusing on shaping intricate designs can help calm your mind. The repetitive motions lower cortisol levels, the body’s main stress hormone.
It’s thought that pottery classes can induce a state of mindfulness, encouraging participants to focus on the present moment and let go of daily life stresses. Who doesn’t need that?
Using tools like the potter’s wheel and wheel throwing makes pottery feel like a calming, meditative process.
Shaping earthenware or low fire clay is very soothing. It’s a great way to relax and tap into your creative side.
2. Improved Joint Mobility and Physical Relaxation
Engaging in pottery involves repetitive motions that contribute to better joint movement and improved hand-eye coordination.
If you have physical conditions like arthritis or carpal tunnel syndrome (I have both), pottery serves as a great low-impact exercise.
The joint movement required to mold clay pots or shape ball clay can act as a natural pain killer, offering relief without strenuous physical activity.
3. Social Connections in a Creative Setting
One of the 5 health benefits of making pottery over 60 is the social aspect. As we age, it seems more difficult to make friends. Joining a pottery class in the community is a great way to build new connections and friendships.
Pottery workshops and pottery studios provide a healthy outlet for building social connections. It’s nice to be surrounded by like-minded individuals who share an interest in the creative practice of ceramic making.
I suspect beginner pottery making requires a good sense of humour! You can’t be too hard on yourself when your vase turns out to be a crooked pencil when all is said and done. It’s all part of the social expression and collaboration.
Having a good laugh while making friends can absolutely contribute to mental well-being. Being in a class of beginners fosters a sense of community and is a prime opportunity to make new friends.
4. Cognitive Stimulation and Mental Well-Being
The art of pottery enhances cognitive function by challenging the brain in different ways. Activities like designing intricate patterns, wheel throwing, or using low fire clay require problem-solving and creative thinking, which help stimulate the brain.
It’s important to keep engaged in new activite as we age. I would say that improved mental well-being and cognitive stimulation or a couple of the top 5 health benefits of pottery making over 60.
Previous studies on the cognitive benefits of art therapy suggest that pottery can delay cognitive decline and improve focus. Sounds good to me! In fact, it’s also said to promote a state of mindfulness, where participants immerse themselves in the creative process.
This deep connection to the present moment aids in alleviating symptoms of clinical depression and anxiety.
5. Physical and Mental Benefits from a New Hobby
Picking up pottery as a new hobby comes with a bunch of great benefits for both your body and mind.
The hands-on work with natural materials like hemp rope or paper clay gives you some light exercise, and the repetitive movements help you relax physically.
It’s especially great for people with physical limitations since you can build skills at your own pace and see progress over time.
Mentally, pottery is awesome too! It gives you a fun way to express your creativity and leaves you with a real sense of achievement when you finish something you’ve made.
Summary
I don’t know about you, but I’m excited to try pottery making as my next hobby. I could stand to try more relaxing activities in my spare time.
I talk about the 5 health benefits of pottery making over 60 in this post, but it’s clear that there are several more. Just getting out, making new friends, or strengthening current bonds is a great way to improve mental well-being while keeping your cognitive skills at top notch.
In addition to the health benefits mentioned above, pottery offers a way to create one-of-a-kind pieces that reflect your personal style. You’ll find a deep sense of pride and accomplishment with every creation.