Build A Mandala For Mental Health Awareness Week!

To close out our Mental Health Awareness Week content we’re sharing a  fun, relaxing craft activity to try at home.

A good crafting session can help you focus your mind and have fun. But more importantly it can also help alleviate things like depression, anxiety, and loneliness. In this blog we’re sharing one of our favourite crafting exercises that is perfect for Mental Health Awareness Week.

Building a mandala is something that can be approached in a number of ways. You can use a pen and paper, stones, leaves and much more. Mandala means circle in Sanskrit and they are commonly used in traditional Hindu and Buddhist mediation practices.

Making a mandala can be as simple or as complex as you like. It’s best to start in the middle of your circle and work your way out from there. For some inspiration take a look at the mandala a member of the Harris Library team made below using buttons and other materials from home.

While some people prefer to draw a circle first and then decorate it using things like pencil crayons and felt tip pens you can get much more creative if you want. You can use things from outdoors like leaves and pine cones to make your mandala or stick to more traditional mediums.

Making a mandala is something you can do one your own or as a group and it’s a popular exercise in art therapy. Times are tough right now for many people so looking after your mental health is very important. So, if you’re looking for a new way to relax or something new to try over the weekend why not have a go at making a mandala and remember to share them with us on social media.