Forming clay into a piece of pottery will bring life to a mug, bowl or vase, but more importantly it comes with positive side affects for mental health. Something indescribable transpires from within while guiding clay in sync with the rhythm of a potter’s wheel. Creating pottery can be a conduit for inner wisdom and emotion to move through the body and into the clay. Time also ceases to exist as the hands are working with the speed of the wheel to keep the clay from collapsing. Having an outlet such as pottery reduces stress by releasing serotonin, dopamine and oxytocin into the body. Communication between the brain and the body improves mental health with regular practice. Zero skills or natural creativity are needed to get started working with clay on or off a potters wheel. If there is any hesitation in getting started, simply blindfold yourself and feel your way through using your instincts and your mind’s eye. The end result of the finished piece will be a beautiful manifestation of what you were experiencing in the moment of its creation. Sorry if that was too deep or woo woo. Working with clay has inadvertently gotten me through very challenging early days of the grieving process. I somehow managed to escape the reality of the overwhelming grief that was a constant for those few hours. I was completely focused in the present moment using all of my abilities in an attempt to create something useful. Afterwards, I felt immense gratitude for that emotional break that will never be forgotten. To say that making pottery is healing to a broken heart would be an extreme understatement.

Creating pottery, welding, soldering and knitting are examples of design and wellness working together.

If you’re in the Philadelphia area, please check out Yay Clay and The Clay Studio. They are both led by passiontate and talented potters.