In a world that’s increasingly connected to technology, the physical experience of working with your hands is often overlooked. However, research shows that hands-on activities, such as gardening, woodworking, and crafts, are associated with incredible benefits, including a reduction in depressive and anxiety symptoms as well as enhanced life satisfaction.

Whether in manufacturing or medicine, art or carpentry, there are many benefits to working with your hands (and making it a full-time career). Below, we’ll explore these advantages as well as highlight some career paths that are fueled by hands-on work.

Key benefits of working with your hands

Whether baking pastries or repairing machinery, using your hands offers advantages to your brain chemistry and mental health. Below are some of the many benefits of hands-on work.

1. Stimulate brain pathways

One of the primary benefits of working with your hands is the way it helps stimulate different parts of the brain. For example, gardening is more than planting flowers. It requires planning, organization, and problem-solving—challenges that stimulate nerve growth in the brain, helping to keep your brain sharp and engaged, essential as you age.

2. Improve memory

Another of the great benefits of working with your hands, beyond brain stimulation, it helps improve memory! When you handwrite instead of type, for example, you boost memory retention, using the brain more than typing, as you create longform shapes and demonstrate detailed fine motor control over your fingers.

With typing, you create every letter with the same repetitive movement. When handwriting, more of the brain is activated, whether you’re jotting notes or sketching blueprints, working with your hands encourages deeper mental processing.

3. Reduce stress

Hands-on work has a powerful calming effect that reduces stress. A study found that cancer survivors who learned to knit reported significant improvement in cognition and stress levels after eight weeks. The rhythm and repetition of knitting were calming, like meditation. Whether woodworking, crocheting, or painting, the focus and routine involved in these activities help quiet anxious thoughts, keeping the body engaged and focused.

4. Encourage mindfulness

Many hands-on activities create opportunities for mindfulness. Building or coloring, for example, can reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety by helping focus attention on the present moment, a form of mindfulness. These activities prompt you to focus your attention on choosing materials, moving your hands, and practicing precision—present-moment tasks—rather than worrying about the past or future. This focus promotes a state of relaxation and improves your mood to boot.

5. Boost executive function

Finally, one of our favorite benefits of working with your hands is the improved executive function, aka the brain’s ability to plan, focus, remember instructions, and juggle multiple tasks. Playing an instrument, for example, enhances cognitive skills, particularly in work environments. Learning to play an instrument, especially at a young age, can aid in development and lay a foundation for a variety of skills, including problem-solving, flexible thinking, and self-control.

Discover the benefits of working with your hands with a degree from Goodwin University.

Hands-on career ideas

The benefits of working with your hands aren’t only derived from hobbies; you can also seek these benefits in your career. Let’s unpack five possible hands-on career paths that you can pursue.

1. Welding

Average salary: $51,000 per year

Welders use high-heat equipment to join or cut metal using various techniques, which enables them to repair, assemble, or fabricate metal structures. Precision, hand-eye coordination, and attention to safety are key to success in this field.

Welding Technology programs combine the technical training and hands-on experience that employers look for. Students learn about different welding techniques, safety protocols, and materials, gaining the confidence and credentials to start working in industries such as automotive, manufacturing, aerospace, or shipbuilding.

2. CNC Machining

Average salary: $57,700 per year

Machinists operate computer-controlled machinery to manufacture detailed metal parts used in medical devices, defense systems, and aerospace engineering. Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machinists process materials and perform functions like drilling, cutting, and shaping steel. This job requires technical knowledge, mathematical thinking, and a meticulous approach to detail.

CNC Machining programs teach students to read technical drawings, program CNC machines, and fulfill complex specifications. Combining classroom instruction with hands-on operation gives students a competitive edge in today’s job market.

3. Nursing

Average salary: $93,600 per year

Nursing is a hands-on and human-centered profession. Nurses assess patients, provide direct care, administer medication, and educate patients about their health. Whether you’re taking vitals or helping patients manage long-term illnesses, the work is both physically active and emotionally meaningful.

Nursing school offers a variety of options to help students achieve their goals at the certificate, associate, bachelor’s, or master’s degree levels. Through classroom work, simulation lab experiences, and clinical rotations, students can prepare to pass their licensure exams and step into a fulfilling healthcare career.

4. Manufacturing

Average salary: $43,570 per year

Manufacturing professionals design and assemble the products we use every day. They maintain, develop, and operate manufacturing systems, keeping production costs low while maintaining product quality. This field offers a wide range of roles, from equipment operation to quality control, all of which require strong technical and problem-solving skills.

Manufacturing programs offer hands-on training, where students can apply the skills they learn in the classroom through practical experiences, thereby preparing them for success in the industry. There are a variety of degree and certification paths, allowing students to select a focus that aligns with their goals and interests.

5. Dental hygiene

Average salary: $94,260 per year

Dental hygienists clean teeth, examine patients for signs of oral diseases, provide preventive care, and educate patients on proper dental hygiene. It’s a hands-on career that requires technical skill, dexterity, and strong patient relations, ideal for individuals who enjoy helping others feel better and stay healthy.

Dental Hygiene programs emphasize clinical experience and classroom learning. Students apply the core concepts of dental hygiene learned in class to real-world clinical situations, ensuring they enter the field with the skills necessary for success. You’ll learn how to use tools, manage infection control, and communicate effectively with patients.

Turn your passion into a hands-on profession

Goodwin University believes in the benefits of working with your hands. Through our career-oriented, practical training programs, you can prepare for careers that will benefit your cognitive abilities and health by engaging in hands-on work. Your experience at Goodwin University will go beyond textbooks and lectures. Whether you’re drawn to healthcare, manufacturing, or a skilled trade, you’ll receive hands-on training and support every step of the way.

Learn more about hands-on career programs at Goodwin University to see if one of them is a good career choice for you.