I believe working with your hands is a necessity. Not only is it a creative outlet, it fulfills my need to reach my roots & feel like I have something to offer, feel like I've done something. A lot of that has been lost with the times. Especially if you work in an office or if you're stuck at home for some reason.
When I work with clay I'm taken to a different meditative place than when I'm drawing or painting, because it's so involved. When you prepare the clay you, have to smash it down & push it into itself. Then you start to be more direct with your movement & intention and start to move with the clay as you shape and mold it. It's really a beautiful thing.
Making something tangible from a thought or feeling in your mind is so special.