Feeling Stressed? This Ancient Craft Is Helping People Slow Down And Reclaim Calm

Last Updated:February 15, 2026, 12:50 IST

The art of pottery making reconnects people with touch, process, and the simple satisfaction of creating something by hand.

This immersive focus during the pottery making creates what psychologists call a “flow state” — where anxiety drops, attention sharpens, and the mind settles. (Image: Instagram/@wildfernpotterystudio)

On a quiet afternoon inside a pottery studio, the loudest sound is often the gentle whir of the wheel. Hands sink into cool clay. Shoulders relax. Conversations fade. For a while, the rush of the outside world feels distant.

More and more people are walking into pottery studios not to become artists, but to pause. They are not seeking therapy in the clinical sense. Yet, what they find in clay often feels deeply therapeutic — grounding, calming, and quietly restorative.

Who Is Turning To Pottery And Why

Pottery studios attract people across ages and professions. From professionals and homemakers to children and senior citizens, people from all walks of life find comfort in clay. While their reasons may differ, the experience begins the same way — by getting their hands into the clay.

“I see three broad groups,” Thulgharia says. “Some people come to relax and decompress from stressful jobs. Others are looking for a creative outlet. And some want to deepen their engagement with the material and develop their skills.”

Working professionals, in particular, are increasingly signing up for weekend workshops, seeking relief from high-pressure routines. Psychologists say this shift reflects a deeper need.

“Our brains today are constantly overstimulated,” D’Souza explains. “Notifications, scrolling, and information overload keep the nervous system in a low-level stress state. Slow crafts like pottery do the opposite. They slow everything down.”

Pottery offers something modern life rarely does — uninterrupted focus without urgency.

Senior citizens, especially those who have moved to metro cities to be closer to their families or have entered retirement, are increasingly turning to pottery as a way to socialise, reconnect, and rediscover themselves.

Abha Maheshwari, a Noida-based senior citizen, has been practising pottery for over two years at Claying Thoughts studio. For her, pottery is not about the wheel but about hand-building — a slower, more intimate process she learned at the studio.

“Hand-building pottery is therapeutic, creative, and meditative,” she says. “The feel of clay is amazing. Every little creation makes me want to do more.”

She strongly encourages others to experience working with clay. What began as a creative outlet has also changed how she expresses care for loved ones. Instead of buying gifts, she now handcrafts small pieces for her friends — gestures that, she says, are deeply appreciated.

A Pause From Fast-Moving Life

“Clay naturally slows you down. You can create, focus, and enjoy the process without any pressure. And that’s the beauty that draws people to this art,” says Pooja Verma, founder of Claying Thoughts.

In a world shaped by screens, speed, and constant stimulation, pottery offers the opposite. It requires patience. It demands presence. You cannot rush clay. You can only work with it.

Many who enter studios are not chasing perfection or productivity. They are looking for something simpler — a break from mental noise, a moment of quiet, or creative time with themselves.

“When people come to the studio, they’re mostly looking for a pause,” Verma explains. “Some want quiet ‘me time.’ Others want to do something creative with friends instead of the usual outings. In different ways, everyone is really looking for calm, connection, and a break from the everyday rush.”

Why Working With Clay Feels So Calming?

The effect of clay goes beyond distraction. It engages the body in ways modern life rarely does. “As humans, our nervous system loves rhythm and touch,” says Rochelle D’Souza, Head Psychologist and Behavioural Therapist at ProParent.

“When we engage in tactile, repetitive activities like pottery, the brain shifts out of ‘stress mode’ and into a more regulated, focused state.”

She explains that the texture of clay, the pressure of the hands, and the rhythm of shaping send calming signals to the nervous system. Instead of replaying worries or anticipating future stress, the brain locks into the present moment.

This immersive focus creates what psychologists call a “flow state” — where anxiety drops, attention sharpens, and the mind settles.

“It pulls attention away from overthinking,” D’Souza adds. “Your brain becomes fully engaged in what’s happening right now — the texture of clay, the rhythm of your hands, the shape forming in front of you. It’s grounding and deeply calming.”

More about the experience, less about the outcome

“All forms of art are inherently therapeutic, but working with clay is particularly grounding, calming, and restorative,” says Manisha Sah Thulgharia, Art Therapy Coach and founder of Wildfern Pottery Studio in Noida. “Clay connects us to the earth, helping us reconnect not only with nature but also with ourselves.”

She explains that pottery in this context focuses less on perfect results and more on the experience itself.

“It is about slowing down, being present, and allowing the clay to guide you, rather than striving for perfection,” she says.

The tactile nature of clay plays a key role. The act of kneading, shaping, and refining encourages mindfulness and patience. This physical engagement helps release tension stored in the body and supports emotional balance.

The Quiet Emotional Shift

Studio founders often notice visible emotional changes in participants, even after a single session.

“I love watching faces light up at the end of a session,” Thulgharia says. “Participants often show reduced anxiety, improved mood, and a sense of accomplishment. There is a visible sense of joy, calm, and quiet confidence that comes from creating something independently.”

This shift is not imagined. Creative activities regulate stress both mentally and physically.

“Kneading clay releases physical tension stored in the body. Muscles relax, breathing slows, and stress hormones begin to drop,” D’Souza explains. “At the same time, the brain releases feel-good chemicals like dopamine and serotonin. That’s why people walk out feeling calmer and lighter.”

What people describe as feeling “lighter” is often the nervous system moving out of stress mode and into a more balanced state.

Why You Should Try Pottery

One of pottery’s most powerful lessons lies in its unpredictability. Clay collapses. Shapes tilt. Pieces crack. Perfection is never guaranteed. For beginners, this can feel frustrating at first. But over time, it becomes liberating.

“You don’t need to be artistic. You don’t need to be perfect,” Verma says. “Working with clay comes naturally. It’s okay to make mistakes and learn along the way. That’s part of the process.”

This shift in mindset — from outcome to experience — is what will help you enjoy the process and understand that the value of art lies not just in the finished object, but in the act of making it.

How To Do Pottery At Home 

For those with busy schedules, pottery does not have to remain confined to studio sessions. Verma shares that the easiest way to start at home is with hand-building

“Rolling clay, shaping it with your hands — these are natural, intuitive movements. Even a few studio sessions or basic guidance is enough to begin,” she adds.

Small, simple pieces can be created at home, offering moments of quiet creativity amid daily routines.

This accessibility makes pottery less of a hobby and more of a practice — something people can return to whenever they need to slow down.

Who Is Turning To Pottery And Why

Pottery studios attract people across ages and professions. From professionals and homemakers to children and senior citizens, people from all walks of life find comfort in clay. While their reasons may differ, the experience begins the same way — by getting their hands into the clay.

“I see three broad groups,” Thulgharia says. “Some people come to relax and decompress from stressful jobs. Others are looking for a creative outlet. And some want to deepen their engagement with the material and develop their skills.”

Working professionals, in particular, are increasingly signing up for weekend workshops, seeking relief from high-pressure routines. Psychologists say this shift reflects a deeper need.

“Our brains today are constantly overstimulated,” D’Souza explains. “Notifications, scrolling, and information overload keep the nervous system in a low-level stress state. Slow crafts like pottery do the opposite. They slow everything down.”

Pottery offers something modern life rarely does — uninterrupted focus without urgency.

Senior citizens, especially those who have moved to metro cities to be closer to their families or have entered retirement, are increasingly turning to pottery as a way to socialise, reconnect, and rediscover themselves.

Abha Maheshwari, a Noida-based senior citizen, has been practising pottery for over two years at Claying Thoughts studio. For her, pottery is not about the wheel but about hand-building — a slower, more intimate process she learned at the studio.

“Hand-building pottery is therapeutic, creative, and meditative,” she says. “The feel of clay is amazing. Every little creation makes me want to do more.”

She strongly encourages others to experience working with clay. What began as a creative outlet has also changed how she expresses care for loved ones. Instead of buying gifts, she now handcrafts small pieces for her friends — gestures that, she says, are deeply appreciated.

A Pause From Fast-Moving Life

“Clay naturally slows you down. You can create, focus, and enjoy the process without any pressure. And that’s the beauty that draws people to this art,” says Pooja Verma, founder of Claying Thoughts.

In a world shaped by screens, speed, and constant stimulation, pottery offers the opposite. It requires patience. It demands presence. You cannot rush clay. You can only work with it.

Many who enter studios are not chasing perfection or productivity. They are looking for something simpler — a break from mental noise, a moment of quiet, or creative time with themselves.

“When people come to the studio, they’re mostly looking for a pause,” Verma explains. “Some want quiet ‘me time.’ Others want to do something creative with friends instead of the usual outings. In different ways, everyone is really looking for calm, connection, and a break from the everyday rush.”

Why Working With Clay Feels So Calming?

The effect of clay goes beyond distraction. It engages the body in ways modern life rarely does. “As humans, our nervous system loves rhythm and touch,” says Rochelle D’Souza, Head Psychologist and Behavioural Therapist at ProParent.

“When we engage in tactile, repetitive activities like pottery, the brain shifts out of ‘stress mode’ and into a more regulated, focused state.”

She explains that the texture of clay, the pressure of the hands, and the rhythm of shaping send calming signals to the nervous system. Instead of replaying worries or anticipating future stress, the brain locks into the present moment.

This immersive focus creates what psychologists call a “flow state” — where anxiety drops, attention sharpens, and the mind settles.

“It pulls attention away from overthinking,” D’Souza adds. “Your brain becomes fully engaged in what’s happening right now — the texture of clay, the rhythm of your hands, the shape forming in front of you. It’s grounding and deeply calming.”

More about the experience, less about the outcome

“All forms of art are inherently therapeutic, but working with clay is particularly grounding, calming, and restorative,” says Manisha Sah Thulgharia, Art Therapy Coach and founder of Wildfern Pottery Studio in Noida. “Clay connects us to the earth, helping us reconnect not only with nature but also with ourselves.”

She explains that pottery in this context focuses less on perfect results and more on the experience itself.

“It is about slowing down, being present, and allowing the clay to guide you, rather than striving for perfection,” she says.

The tactile nature of clay plays a key role. The act of kneading, shaping, and refining encourages mindfulness and patience. This physical engagement helps release tension stored in the body and supports emotional balance.

The Quiet Emotional Shift

Studio founders often notice visible emotional changes in participants, even after a single session.

“I love watching faces light up at the end of a session,” Thulgharia says. “Participants often show reduced anxiety, improved mood, and a sense of accomplishment. There is a visible sense of joy, calm, and quiet confidence that comes from creating something independently.”

This shift is not imagined. Creative activities regulate stress both mentally and physically.

“Kneading clay releases physical tension stored in the body. Muscles relax, breathing slows, and stress hormones begin to drop,” D’Souza explains. “At the same time, the brain releases feel-good chemicals like dopamine and serotonin. That’s why people walk out feeling calmer and lighter.”

What people describe as feeling “lighter” is often the nervous system moving out of stress mode and into a more balanced state.

Why You Should Try Pottery

One of pottery’s most powerful lessons lies in its unpredictability. Clay collapses. Shapes tilt. Pieces crack. Perfection is never guaranteed. For beginners, this can feel frustrating at first. But over time, it becomes liberating.

“You don’t need to be artistic. You don’t need to be perfect,” Verma says. “Working with clay comes naturally. It’s okay to make mistakes and learn along the way. That’s part of the process.”

This shift in mindset — from outcome to experience — is what will help you enjoy the process and understand that the value of art lies not just in the finished object, but in the act of making it.

How To Do Pottery At Home 

For those with busy schedules, pottery does not have to remain confined to studio sessions. Verma shares that the easiest way to start at home is with hand-building

“Rolling clay, shaping it with your hands — these are natural, intuitive movements. Even a few studio sessions or basic guidance is enough to begin,” she adds.

Small, simple pieces can be created at home, offering moments of quiet creativity amid daily routines.

This accessibility makes pottery less of a hobby and more of a practice — something people can return to whenever they need to slow down.

Stay Ahead, Read Faster

Scan the QR code to download the News18 app and enjoy a seamless news experience anytime, anywhere.

login