Every news report can bring another wave of anxiety as you worry about your career or finances.
Although you may not be able to control the turmoil in the stock market, you may be able to calm your own panic with a pair of knitting needles and a hank of yarn.
Hobbies and crafts, such as knitting, scrapbook decorating, quilting or sewing, have soothing powers beyond the pleasure of the finished project.
Pursuing a special interest can reduce your stress levels and provide a valuable social outlet, says Victor Domine, spokesperson for the Craft & Hobby Association, Elmwood Park, N.J.
Even something as simple as sewing can reduce your blood pressure, according to a landmark study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
If you've never made anything from scratch or developed a recreational skill, this may be the best time to embark on a hobby or craft.
The key is to find a craft that suits your personality, says Nancy Monson, a quilter and writer, Shelton, Conn.
"If you're detail oriented, you probably won't be happy doing abstract painting," says Monson, author of "Craft to Heal: Soothing Your Soul with Sewing, Painting, and Other Pastimes" (Wheatmark, 2005).
Before you invest in supplies, try out new hobbies.
Research a craft by looking through the special interest magazines in your bookstore or library. You'll find publications for knitting, sewing, jewelry making, photography and more.
Don't limit yourself to reading, however.
Half the fun is sharing your interest with like-minded people. It's also psychologically healthier to get together with others, Monson says.
Sign up for short-term classes at community recreation centers or through adult education programs in high schools and colleges. Craft and hobby stores often sponsor one-day lessons to entice you.
With the current emphasis on re-purposing items you have around the home, your craft doesn't need to be expensive. You may find the supplies you need in your cupboard, Monson says.
For example, cut old clothes into strips to crochet into rugs or piece into quilts. Build a birdhouse from wood scraps left over from a remodeling project. If you're a savvy jewelry crafter you can transform soft drink cans into bangle bracelets (after filing down sharp edges).
Even if you feel untouched by economic uncertainty you probably know others who aren't as fortunate. You can use your talents to help your neighbors; what Monson calls the "virtue component."
You may feel guilty about devoting your time and money to a hobby that's solely for your enjoyment. But you can feel good by donating your finished craft, such as a warm knit scarf or quilt, to those in need, according to Monson.
Crafts can also benefit the blow to your self-esteem following a job loss.
"When you lose your job you lose part of your identity," says Charles LaJeunesse, a psychology professor at Misericordia University, Dallas, Penn.
Adopting meaningful pursuits can help you fill the void, he says.
"When someone asks what you're doing, you can answer you're doing a craft."
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