Haptico

Productive Hobbies That Will Make You Smarter and Happier Turn Off Your Phone, Turn On Your Life

Studio Visit with Fiona Chandler

Digital Detox Kit of the Month

Workshop of the Month

The joys and Benefits of Arts and Crafts

7 Science-backed Reasons You Should Make Art, Even If You’re Bad at it

Vol. 01 July 2019 Arts & Crafts

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Haptico Magazine

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Arts & Crafts

CONTENTS

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Spending Too Much Time Online… and Much, Much More

The Joys and Benefits of Arts and Crafts

Productive Hobbies That Will Make You Smarter and Happier

Taking A Break From Technology Is Sometimes Necessary

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Seven Science-backed Reasons You Should Make Art, Even If You’re Bad At It

Studio Visit With Fiona Chandler

Digital Detox Kit of the Month

Workshop of the Month

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Haptico Magazine

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Arts & Crafts

Haptico is a non-profit organization that educates people about the importance of stepping away from the screen, and also helps connect people with handson activities.

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Arts & Crafts | Haptico Magazine

SPENDING TOO MUCH TIME ONLINE… AND MUCH, MUCH MORE What Is “Internet Addiction”?

Do you spend too much time on the Internet? And how much

These are the arguments that researchers are having,

time is “too much”? Just about any activity can be overdone,

and the final outcome will decide if, and under what label,

but when does one’s Internet activity become problematic?

“Internet addiction” is listed in the next version of the book of psychological disorders (the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual; DSM) that clinicians use to diagnose mental illness.

We are an intensely connected society. Between the use of the Internet via our computers and our cell phones and tablets, many of us dedicate an extraordinary amount of our free time

“Internet Addiction Disorder” (IAD) is currently is the most

to “screen time.” A new (July 2016) report on CNN.com stated

commonly used term to define excessive and problematic

that Americans spend almost eleven hours a day on “screen

Internet usage. It is sometimes also called Problematic

time” for non-work-related activities. There is growing concern

Internet Use (PIU) or Compulsive Internet Use (CIU). There are

regarding this excessive gadget usage, and not surprisingly, it

a number of forms of Internet addiction, and some of the most

has been linked to obesity, especially in teens and young adults.

common are:

Studies on excessive Internet use and the problems it creates

Game addiction: obsessive computer game playing

have been a source of debate in psychological communities for a number of years. It has become commonly considered that

Information overload: compulsive web surfing or

overuse of the Internet is a real issue that needs to be addressed.

database searching

But is it just a social problem? Is it a form of compulsion? Or is it a true addiction? If it is an addiction, is Internet addiction a unique

Net compulsions: obsessive online gambling, shopping,

disorder in itself, or is it a form of impulse-control disorder, or

or day-trading

obsessive-compulsive disorder?

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Cyber-relationship addiction: over-involvement in online

students and 5% of female college students are reported to be

relationships or social media

Internet addicted. In the general Chinese population, statistics indicate that up to 30% of people are problematic users.

Cyber-sexual addiction: compulsive use of adult

Chinese “training camps” have been used to wean teens off the

websites for cybersex and cyber-porn

Internet. In the United Kingdom, Internet addiction is estimated to affect approximately 18% of college students.

Who Gets Addicted to the Internet and Why?

A survey by Kimberly S. Young, international Internet addiction expert and founder of the Center for Internet Addiction, indicated that, among the U.S. Internet-addicted population,

Almost any Internet user has the potential to become

about 70% also have another form of addiction–drugs, alcohol,

“addicted” under the right circumstances. But studies show

smoking or sex addiction. About half of these are in recovery

that men are more likely than women to become problematic

for their other addictions. Researchers find commonalities in

or addicted users, and teens and young adults are more prone

the addictive processes of Internet addiction and other forms

than adults.

of addiction. Internet users, like other addicts, experience pleasurable sensations and stimulation of brain reward-

A 2012 study, reported in Current Psychiatry Review found that

center chemicals, including dopamine, when they take part

in the U.S., between 1.5% and 8.2% of Internet users exhibited

in their activity, whether it be gaming, online gambling, social

symptoms of problematic usage. Statistics are even higher in

networking or texting, etc.

other countries and some extreme measures have been taken to curb the problem. For instance, in China 12% of male college

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Arts & Crafts | Haptico Magazine

THE JOYS AND BENEFITS OF ARTS AND CRAFTS

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During the school holidays it can be so hard to find things to

about doing it ‘wrong’. With arts and crafts there is no right

fill the time, so why not embrace arts and crafts? It’s not so

or wrong. Even if at the end the finished product is just a

bad when it’s warm and dry, but on those rainy days it’s all

pile of brown mush, and not something that will proudly be

too easy to just turn the TV on. Arts and craft activities are

displayed on the mantelpiece. Just exploring different ideas,

an excellent alternative to screen time, and can be done no

processes and textures can be fun on its own. If the end

matter the weather.

result is brown mush it helps children to develop resilience.

It teaches them learn to problem solve when things don’t go

Arts and crafts are not only fun but can actually aid

the way they planned.

development in a number of areas. Obviously, crafts can encourage and develop creativity. However more importantly it gives children the opportunity to just ‘have a go’. This open ended freedom and confidence to experiment and explore is something we often lose as we grow up. We worry too much

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Arts & Crafts | Haptico Magazine

PRODUCTIVE HOBBIES THAT WILL MAKE YOU SMARTER AND HAPPIER

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Everyone needs a hobby, as the old saying goes.

However, very few hobbies are ever considered productive ones, unless you happen to belong to one of those rare few lucky people who manage to turn their hobby into a second job‌ or who manage to utilise the skills they built in their hobby in their work to become more productive, efficient, and happier.

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COOKING

WRITING

Cooking is one of the most productive hobbies out there, and

One of the most productive hobbies to have is to write in your

something everyone should consider trying their hand at.

spare time. Writing is an incredibly powerful and important form of self-expression and it can help to channel your

Cooking forces you to be in the moment, focusing entirely

energies into something which you feel passionate about and in

on the product and processes at hand. It also forces you to

which you can pour your thoughts, dreams, and desires.

Whether it’s writing articles, plays, radio scripts or diary entries,

As a bonus, with practice, you’ll get really good at preparing

writing helps unlock your creative side, and helps you be as

and making food in advance for the days ahead, meaning you’re

productive and healthy as possible.

being even more productive than you realized.

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plan ahead.

READING

HIKING

Reading is one of the world’s most popular pursuits and past Hiking is one of those quintessential ‘weekend’ hobbies, for

times, and with good reason.

people with a passion for long treks and experiencing the beauty of nature.

It is also an extremely productive hobby as it can be done

Studies have shown how hiking can benefit our brains. They

easily during your downtime and ’empty time’ in which you

can also have a beneficial effect upon your productivity, as

are doing nothing.

hiking allows you to clear your mind of all worries and focus on the present, as well as providing you with exercise to improve

Reading research and studies about productivity, can in turn

physical fitness and stamina.

make you learn new habits, behaviours, and patterns that will make you be more effective with your time.

SCULPTURE

WOODWORK

While few of us may be at the standard of sculptors such as Michelangelo or Rodin, sculpture, even in its most basic forms,

Woodwork is a surprisingly productive hobby due to the fact

can be a productive hobby and tool.

that you have to focus hard on your singular vision of what you wish to build.

Sculpture at its very nature behooves you to create with the

Constructing something of your own out of wood – whether

materials you have, and to be mindful of what you’re creating,

it’s a shelf, a spice rack, or even something more complex or

even if it takes many tiny steps at a time.

beautiful – can be a wonderful boost to your self esteem, and building yourself the materials you need to help make your

Sculpture also gives you something at the very end of it – it

life easier, will, in turn, make you more productive and happier

might not be the kind of art or sculpture created by masters,

as a result.

but it’s still tangible, and it’s yours, and truly authentic because of that very fact.

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GARDENING Gardening is not only a pleasant and relaxing pastime, it’s also a fantastic way to boost your productivity.

Gardening allows you to relax and unwind, conserving your energies for the frantic days ahead you might have. It also teaches you about managing different projects all at the same time.

PAINTING Painting may not seem like a particularly productive hobby, but it can lend some wonderful perspective on your life and can help unleash your creative side.

Painting allows you to tap into the thoughts, desires, and feelings swimming around in your head, and can help translate them into something physical.

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TURN OFF YOUR PHONE

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TURN ON YOUR LIFE 13

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TAKING A BREAK FROM TECHNOLOGY IS SOMETIMES NECESSARY

“Life is not a support system for art. It’s the other way around.”

-Stephen King, On Writing

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67%

of cell phone owners check their phone for messages, alerts, or calls — even when they don’t notice their phone ringing or vibrating.

cell phone users claim they 84% ofcould not go a single day without their device.

U.S. consumers use mobile 88% ofdevices as a second screen even while watching television.

Studies indicate some mobile device owners check their devices every

6.5 minutes.

There’s a lot of debate about how much screen time is too

Americans check their phone on average once every 12 minutes – burying their heads in their phones 80 times a day, according to new research.

much screen time, specifically for children, but also for adults. Likely you’ve heard about how it’s a good idea to stop using our electronics in the evening so you can wind your brain down for bed. But when it comes to screen time the only thing that seems conclusive is that there’s such a thing as too much and that it may be different for everyone and depend Arts & Crafts

I’m online, I’d catch myself checking my emails, Twitter,

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that point already.

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on the circumstances. But my body is telling me I’ve reached Today, I make it a point to take digital breaks several times a day. I encourage you to try it for 30 minutes and see how it While I found this 24/7 connectivity useful initially, after a

works out for you. It doesn’t matter even if your work is online-

while it felt more distracting than helpful. For example, when

based – mine is and I’m able to disconnect with no problem.

Facebook, blog stats, etc., for updates every 10-15 minutes,

To further explore this issue of screen time and screen

even though I’m in the middle of other work.

“addiction” I’d like to peer through the lens of Harm Reduction, an alternative approach to abstinence for substance misuse.

The excessive connectivity has created false urgency where I

In 1986 psychoanalyst Norman E. Zinberg M.D. developed

feel the need to know what’s happening lest I miss something

the concept of “drug, set, setting” which is a useful way to

important. Not only that, the web is so vast that it’s easy to

assess how varying circumstances affect the impact of a

get lost in the surfing. In reading a site, one link leads to the

person’s drug use. For instance, heroine tends to be a relaxant

next, and the next, and before I know it I’ve already spent

while cocaine is stimulating (drug). Drinking to celebrate a

a good chunk of time surfing sites that are not related to

promotion at work is a different experience from drinking

what I’m supposed to do. This would happen several times

to dull the pain of a breakup (set, meaning mindset). And

throughout the day.

taking LSD with close friends while in nature is different from taking it at a loud and crowded music festival, surrounded by

It was counter-productive – While it seemed like i was very

strangers (setting).

busy switching between checking/replying websites and doing my work, I wasn’t getting much done. Administrative

I like to apply this concept to how we interact with other stuff

and micro-work yes, but not the important stuff.

too like food, exercise, Facebook, pornography, online gaming, Orange is the New Black…well, you get it. These non-drug

So lately I tried an experiment to take a break from the digital

“addictions,” though they likely do impact our brains, are

world. Rather than work online, I disconnected and went to a

referred to as “process addictions.” They’re things we can

quiet spot to work. There was a huge difference. Interestingly,

get hooked into because they either help us feel something

these short, 45-60 minute breaks easily became my most

desirable, or not feel something undesirable. And our screens

productive hours for the day. My thoughts flow much easier;

as well as what’s on them serve many different roles in our

I’m not thinking about anything except about what I’m working

lives in different moments.

on; I’m more big picture focused, and there’s just nothing distracting me.

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Arts & Crafts | Haptico Magazine

7 SCIENCEBACKED REASONS YOU SHOULD MAKE ART, EVEN IF YOU’RE BAD AT IT 18

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Arts & Crafts | Haptico Magazine

We’ve been making it for about as long as we’ve been called humans, and few painting, sculpting, dancing, making music, and all the other artistic pursuits have benefits that go far beyond pure enjoyment or cultural creation — these activities can also strengthen your brain and improve your mood. Here are seven reasons to give yourself time to make art, even if you think you’re bad at it.

1. WMaking art may reduce stress and anxiety.

In one recent study in the journal Art Therapy, researchers found that after just 45 minutes of art-making, levels of the hormone cortisol — which is associated with stress — were reduced in participants’ saliva, regardless of their prior art skills.

2. Creating visual art improves connections in the brain.

Scientists have previously observed that when people say they are especially “moved” by a piece of art, those feelings are linked to activity in the default mode network. While this research is in the earliest stages, it might suggest that the art people connect with deeply — likely including the art that they create — might be the result of “a certain ‘harmony’ between the external world and our internal representation of the self,” the researchers explain.

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nonemotional (often the details of the lab), while the experiment group was asked to write about the most traumatic experience of their life.

Understandly, the experimental group became much more emotional during the sessions, but reported that the experience was valuable — 98% of the group said they’d return if given the chance.

6. Playing music is associated with cognitive gains.

3. Art-making can help us get over sadness.

For decades, researchers have found that musical training and making music seems to be something of a brain booster.

Distracting yourself from sadness by making art can work even

It’s associated with better language ability, better academic

better than venting about the problems.

performance, and improved memory, especially in children who practice regularly. And playing an instrument or singing a song

In one study published in the journal Psychology of Aesthetics,

is good for adults too.

Creativity, and the Arts, participants were shown the (heartbreaking) documentary “The Laramie Project” to elicit

“Active music making in a social context has the potential to

laboratory sadness.

enhance quality of life, well-being and physical and mental

4. Mindless sketching can help us focus.

health in older people,” researchers concluded in one study,

Cognitive benefits don’t come only from purposeful, serious art.

and not just the result of a fun group activity.

Oddly enough, doodling can help us pay better attention when

7. Making art can help you achieve “flow.”

which found these benefits were particular to music-making,

we’re listening to something boring — and remember it later.

The psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi defined “flow” as

It helps us focus and keeps our minds from wandering, reports

being “in the zone,” totally absorbed by and enjoying the task at

The Atlantic.

hand. “A good life,” he has argued, is one in which this state is not so elusive.

One study published in Applied Cognitive Psychology found that, when aided by doodling, participants were able to recall

While flow can come from all kinds of activities, art is one

29% more information on a surprise memory test than those

of the classic flow experiences, where the art-maker is not

armed only with their determination.

motivated by some end goal, but is fully engaged in the process itself. Csikszentmihalyi’s interest in what we now call “flow”

5. Turning our problems into narratives can help us work through them.

in fact began when he was trying to understand the singleminded focus of a painter. He consistently observed, as the

A study from the Journal of Clinical Psychology suggested

cognitive scientist John Sherry wrote later, that “the doing of

that framing our issues as a story can help make them more

the art was inherently pleasurable.”

manageable. Participants were asked to spend 15 minutes each day for a four day period confidentially writing about something. The control group wrote about something

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STUDIO VISIT WITH FIONA CHANDLER On a brilliantly sunny day in late September, I was lucky enough

their was little creativity in it. A simple thing like saying live

to visit Fiona Chandler at her lovely beach side home and

a creative life. The rest will follow.. And it did. I was accepted

studio at Freshwater. Tucked away in a bright room filled with

into a residency program for 6 months. Having a space just for

natural light in the back yard lies a treasure trove of vibrant

painting was a real turning point… exhibitions followed but also

watercolour and ink paintings. Drooping dried poppies provide

the commitment to my daily practice. It is true you have to turn

inspiration for Fiona’s most recent work. A plethora of brushes

up to make it happen.

and inks cover the well used tables, you can almost read the artistic history through the paint lines on the tables. This is

Where do you find inspiration? From walking through my

a much loved and well-used creative space. It’s hard to feel

neighbourhood, travelling in the car… I use whatever is

gloomy on a day like today in such a beautiful fresh space

around me. Australia is extraordinary. There is so much to

covered in the most beautiful, vibrant paintings I’ve seen in a

inspire. My students also energise me. Never a landscape

long time. Fiona’s style is so fluid, you can almost see her arm

artist a recent road trip to broken hill was truly amazing and

moving across the page as you view the works. I asked Fiona

I am putting a body of work together following the color and

about her background as a practicing artist...

pattern in the landscape.

Tell us about your background, how did you get into painting?

What draws you to watercolour and ink? What do you love

Thinking I was going to uni to study and work in 3D as a pro

about this medium? The lack of control and vibrant colors. You

designer I fell in love with painting and illustration. Painting led

have to go with it and embrace the unpredictability.

to graphic design after uni and years of graphic design led to other creative outlets. I always loved painting and the aim was

Describe your aesthetic. The beauty in nature. A bud leaf or

to become full time at some stage… a dream.

branch may appear beautiful in it’s simplicity. A closer look shows the intricate patterns and shapes. With my paintings I

How did you make the leap to full-time artist? After years of

hope to present something simple at first look , that invites the

talking about it my husband called me on it. I was running a

viewer to step forward and notice more and more details.

business at the time and felt I needed to keep growing that but

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YOUR YOUR HANDS ARE HANDS ARE MADE MADE FOR MORE FOR MORE THAN THAN SWIPING

SWIPING 24

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DIGITAL DETOX KIT OF THE MONTH

The Digital Detox Kit is designed to give you a purpose to step away form digital world.

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What’s inside.

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Arts & Crafts | Haptico Magazine

Art has been in existence since the dawn of humankind.

Using the elements of art and design line, shape, color, value, texture, form, and space — to make meaning out of life and express a personal vision — is an innate impulse.

Order online: haptico.org 30

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Watercolor Workshop with Ingrid Bowen

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GOOD CRAFTNOON Have a Good Craftnoon

Every Saturday 3pm to 5pm at Haptico Studio 32

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Join an art class, or get some friends together to make art

This morning I attended one of the Small Worlds Watercolor

Ingrid is a fabulous teacher and gave us all lots of practical

Workshops with one of our favourite exhibiting artists Ingrid

advice and everyone went home with their own beautiful,

Bowen. Ingrid just finished up a week long residency here at

tiny, unique framed painting! I took some dodgy photos on my

The Haptico Gallery as part of our special Artist Run Gallery

phone so you could check it out.... Ingrid will be back with us

Program. The gallery served as a working studio for Ingrid

in the near future for more watercolour workshops. Sign up to

all week long as well as a workshop and exhibition space.

our mailing list to stay up to date or follow along on Facebook

Students were instructed to create a painting exploring the

and Instagram.

theme of “small worlds”, something Ingrid does on a regular basis. If you’re not familiar with her work have a look at one of our previous exhibitions.

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MORE CLASSES TO CHOSE!

Embroidery Sampler Workshop

Macrame Wall Hanging workshop Crochet Workshop Flower Crown Party

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For more information: www.haptico.org

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