A blank sheet of paper may seem simple and empty, but at Hinojosa Packaging Group we know that it can be transformed into something very valuable, even art. Along the way, it can also help us to find balance and serenity.
Those who practice the ancient art of origami can testify to this. Or, as Samuel Tsang, a world expert in this discipline, says, “if yoga is origami for the body, origami is yoga for the mind”. At a time when life has a frenetic pace, dedicating time to these types of disciplines that require calm, patience and attention is a way of taking care of ourselves.
Origami has its roots in Japanese culture. Its name comes from the union of the roots oru (折る, to fold or crease) and kami (紙, paper) and, although its origins date back to the invention of paper in China in the 1st century AD, it was in Japan where it became fully integrated into the culture a few centuries later. Since then, it has been passed down from generation to generation as a symbol of peace, creativity and contemplation. It is no longer exclusive to religious ceremonies, but an everyday emblem of patience and dedication that is fully integrated into Japanese culture. For example, the crane, one of the most iconic origami figures, is almost a national symbol associated with longevity and good luck: according to popular belief, the gods grant a wish to anyone who makes a thousand origami cranes.
Beyond its beauty and cultural implications, origami also has enormous therapeutic benefits. A study led by the psychologist Cristina Belló, an expert in Psychogeriatrics, confirmed that older people who practise it improve their attention, memory and psychomotor skills, which are key to slowing down the cognitive deterioration that accelerates with increasing age.
However, its benefits can be enjoyed at any age: it helps improve concentration, reduces stress and promotes calm. The repetitive and precise movements needed to create a paper figure activate the brain mechanisms needed to combat stress and anxiety: by focusing on the folding, the brain focuses on it rather than on negative thoughts. In addition, by following step-by-step instructions, logical thinking and problem solving are enhanced, and hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity are improved. In fact, among teachers, it is a widespread practice in basic education levels as a tool to teach geometry and increase fine motor skills in children.
In these times of speed and excess of stimuli, origami can also be an escape route to connect with ourselves and with the present. Like other meditation and mindfulness therapies, it is a tool for increasing relaxation, creativity and well-being: the sense of achievement in creating a figure enhances self-esteem and invites us, for a moment, to contemplate the beauty we can create with our own hands.
At Hinojosa Packaging Group, as experts in the development of sustainable packaging solutions, we are also committed to paper as the basis for creating environmentally conscious and respectful products. That’s why, if you feel like escaping the hustle and bustle of modern life, all you need is a piece of paper to start practising a tradition that has been effective for thousands of years: shaping a blank sheet of paper can also help you shape your well-being.
