Mental health and yarn work
My maternal grandma taught me how to knit when I was younger (a very uneven blanket for my pet rabbit back then) and I inherited a huge collection of knitting needles and crochet hooks from my late paternal grandma, who could knit faster than you can imagine. I feel a sense of comfort, carrying on the skills that these two wonderful women have passed down.
I have always struggled with anxiety and panic attacks and I needed a distraction, as well as a sense of achievement – which is when I properly started knitting and crochet. I have not looked back since!
I truly find every aspect of this hobby, a great comfort. The endless hours choosing the yarn, the sounds of the needles tapping away, the repetitive movement, choosing the best buttons to match, and, of course, the reward at the end!
There are a lot of reasons why this is passed down through the generations, with mental health being one of them.
Here are 5 mental health benefits of knitting and crochet:
It assists with anxiety
Ever been told to “distract yourself” when you become anxious... yet spend the entire time thinking “I’m distracting myself... this is distracting myself!!”?
Knitting requires full focus, meaning there’s less room for intrusive thoughts, therefore providing a great distraction without actively trying.
Similar to meditation, the repetitive movement and clack-clacking of the needles causes the stress hormone to slow down.
Harvard Medical School's Mind and Body Institute, which found that the hobby induces the body's natural relaxation response and lowers the heart rate by an average of 11 beats per minute, meaning your blood pressure drops when knitting.
Sitting down, in a comfortable position - maybe a cup of tea close to hand – forces you to take the time out that your body and mind needs! Focusing only on the project at hand and feeling like you are making steady progress, can assist with grounding.
It slows the onset of dementia
A 2011 study from the Mayo Clinic found that people who engaged in knitting, crafting and other similar hobbies were 30 to 50 percent less likely to have mild cognitive impairment.
Creative activities can stimulate the brain. It can help people living with dementia to create a dialogue and provide them with an additional means to express themselves.
Learning and developing a new skill will help dementia patients to keep their brain active. Since most dementia patients are aging, strenuous activities are not advisable. This is why knitting is a more suitable activity for them.
You join a community
Whether it’s Social Media, or attending a weekly knitting club, the yarn craft community is a great place to be! (welcome!)
Interacting with like-minded people can create lasting friendships and be a great source of inspiration.
It can distract from chronic pain
Knitting turns focus elsewhere. The repetitive movements you need to do to create a pattern help your body release serotonin, which is a mood boosting hormone that can also dull pain.
It can distract, in general
The world can be a scary place sometimes. Although, it’s part of reality, taking a break now and then is so beneficial to our mental health.
Creating a safe and cozy spot, tapping away with your needles, while listening to music or drinking a hot drink can help to escape the stresses that life brings.