why origami?

Origami and mental health

If you have ever been swept up in the 'mindfulness craze', then no doubt you would have seen things such as the Mandala Colouring Books, Focused Mind Thinking Putty (yes, it is a product you can buy), Mindfulness Cards and of course the various Meditation Apps out there. But one thing that seems to have stood the test of time, and continues to be associated with mindfulness is the art of origami. 

Even if you ask the most fanatical origamists why the practice of paper folding can have such a profound effect on their mental health and well-being, you'll probably fail to get a straight answer because like any art or hobby, the perceived and actual benefit can vary individually. Here I want to highlight a few things that I hope will help you understand what makes origami a little bit different, and why it continues to fascinate and intrigue the public to this day.

No one knows exactly when the first origami was made, or its creator, but modern origami is notably influenced by many masters from Japan, with many established practitioners also from Europe, US and South America. So like many forms of art (and it is regarded as such in Japan), there are many styles that continue to evolve to this day. However, the association of origami to mental health, and in particular mindfulness, appears to be a very recent trend, but if you consider some of the characteristics of origami, it is not difficult to see why people have this view.

Low barrier of entry for participants

• cost of material / use of equipment is minimal (plus you can reuse and recycle paper to give it a second life)

• availability / variety of material is high (can source from many places)

• time / location / group size / ability is not restricted (activity can be tailored, including the visually impaired)

Low cost of delivery for instructors

• based on low barrier of entry for participants

• no formal qualifications or accreditations (the NOA has a certification but it is not a requirement)

• different modes of delivery is possible (paper instructions to video tutorials and in-person workshops)

For me, the low cost of entry means that you focus more on the process than the outcome, and for most activities the benefit comes from participation and practice. Compare origami to something like photography where the initial cost of even basic equipment (not to mention accessories) is already quite high, or jewellery design where sourcing materials is a time and resource intensive activity, and you'll see the benefits of origami as an activity that you can practice anytime, any place and any way that you like.

In addition, the low cost of delivery for instructors means that anyone who knows how to make a particular model can teach it (of course there are some tips and tricks to it), and in teaching someone you further improve your own knowledge and skills. Thus it encourages a growth-mindset and lifelong learning through a continuous cycle of teaching and learning.

And as you go further into the practice of origami, some of the other characteristics of origami compared to other forms of art become clearer as well:

How it stimulates various cognitive processes  

• by interpreting 2D instructions to make 3D models

• connects kinesthetic/haptic stimuli to other types of senses / memory

• for visualizing movements and structures in 3D space

Its application to everyday life and beyond

• folding everyday items like t-shirts, napkins and toilet paper

• folding different materials like furniture, satellites and temporary shelters

• folding in science, art, fashion, construction and many different fields

Practice of different origami techniques can help improve fine-motor skills, folding origami models can help improve memory, and learning to fold without looking at your hands can help improve your visualization skills.

A lot of people think of origami as a set of instructions that you must follow from start to finish, or as a test that has consequences if you fail to complete it. But you couldn't be further from the truth because it is just like a puzzle (think Sudoku or Wordle) that exercises your hand and your brain at the same time. If you have ever picked up a Rubik's Cube you'll know what I mean. Whereas most puzzles only involve your brain, origami also invites you to exercise your hands. In that sense, it is really no different to something like knitting or crocheting to a design or pattern. And once you have mastered a particular design or pattern, more often than not you end up coming up with your own.

How does all of this relate to mental health and well-being you asked? Well, if you look at all of the literature and resources on mental health in particular the preventative aspects (Dear Mind Activities, 5 Ways to Wellbeing, Bite Back Mental Fitness Challenge), you'll find all of these elements mentioned over and over again:

• Get healthy physically and mentally by exercising the mind and body

• Developing a growth mindset to keep learning new things

• Show kindness to other people and be grateful for what you have

• Connect more with yourself, the wider community and nature

• Take notice of things that you take for granted and pay more attention to what is around you

We know that origami is a good exercise for the mind and body, and that the barrier to learning and teaching origami is accessible to everyone. There are also many people who take part in origami activities for worthy causes (e.g. Peace Crane Project), and there are many origami workshops that you can take at your local Brisbane City Council libraries for free.

So next time you are struggling to find the motivation to do something healthy for your mind and body, why not pick up a piece of paper and give origami a try?