There's something about the rhythmic clicking of the knitting needles which is very comforting.

And crochet is something that's easily portable, making it the perfect portable stress-busting project.

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Both types of needlecraft are easy to learn and you have the option of using just basic stitches (for when you want something simple) or when you are in the mood for something a little more complex, a more complicated pattern can be worked on.

Favourite designers include - Kaffe Fassett, Carol Milne and Arline Fisch, 

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There are plenty of different stitches you can learn but you can also create beautiful work using different colours without changing your stitch type.

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Using rows of repeat stitches can be a lovely way of sitting quietly with your thoughts.

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There is a great need for accuracy and neatness so this can be a wonderful way of keeping yourself occupied.

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Designers include - Kathleen Laurel Sage, Kaffe Fassett, Jenny Hart and Agnes Herczeg.

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The Victoria and Albert museum in London also has a wide collection of textiles.

I’ve heard this described as ‘taking a line for a walk across a page.’ 

I describe it as having a similarity to free writing where you don’t focus on what you are putting down on paper, you just let it flow out of you. 

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When doing this activity with my students I ask them to divide their page into random segments and then use colour &/or line to create patterns in each segment.

We often incorporate words into our work too which is fun.

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Origami is great for many different reasons, helping to develop:

• Good hand-eye co-ordination.

• Fine motor skills

• Mental concentration

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The concentration needed to create neat and sometimes complicated folds can be very mind consuming, letting us lose ourselves in the process.

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Favourites designers include - Robert Lang, Akira Yoshizawa, Satoshi Kamiya, Eric Joisel, Lillian Oppenheimer and Polly Verity.

Moulding and shaping clay can be a very calming and satisfying way to spend your time. It has the added benefit of taking out all your stress by pummeling a lump of clay!

There are bound to be ceramics courses in your local area where you can have a go. Check out local authority centres and colleges who usually run these kind of vocational courses. If you can’t make it to any local courses, air dry clay is readily available from craft stores. 

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Favourite designers include - Halima Cassell, Eric Landon, Ai Weiwei and Grayson Perry, 

Also check out the 'Porcelain Capital' of the world Jingdezhen in the Chinese province of Jiangxi.

The idea of piecing fabric together, making something new and beautiful really mirrors our need for creating the new out of the old - of rebirth in a way.

Quilting and patchwork groups are popular which means this can often be a social hobby. Spending time with others, gently stitching and chatting can be a wonderful, relaxing way of connecting with others.

The qualities of focus, attention and precision are paramount.

Learning how to pick fabric, deciding on colours, using a sewing machine and working as a group can bring so much self confidence and uplift the spirit.

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I particularly love these stitching techniques used in a more artistic, painterly way.

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Favourites designers include - Kaffe Fassett, Annette Morgan, Bisa Butler, Ai Kijima, Jack Edson and Nancy Crow.

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The Victoria and Albert museum in London also has a wide collection of textiles.