What comes to mind when you think about knitting? Perhaps you envision an old woman seated in a rocking chair, knitting an intricately patterned shawl with her needles. Maybe you’re irritated because you’ve tried and failed to learn to knit. Perhaps you imagine cuddly, soft hats or best cozy sweaters made of affection.
Knitting is so much more to me than a craft. It’s an artistic outlet, but it’s also a medium for calming our nerves, relaxing our muscles, and stilling our minds. It turns out that I’m not the only one who finds knitting to be an effective form of self-care.
Knitting, in fact, has far more benefits than warm handmade blankets, sweaters, and scarves, according to many research studies from around the world. So, before you look for faux fur throw blanket let’s go through the writing.
Knitting as A Method of Therapy for Mental Wellbeing
It’s no wonder that mindfulness meditation can help with anxiety, depression, and several other mental health problems. However, many people find it challenging to sit still and calm their minds, particularly if they suffer from chronic pain or anxiety.
Knitting, fortunately, has been found to have comparable benefits to mindfulness meditation and can be used as an intentional complement to conventional meditation. Knitting’s constant movement and slow rhythm can help relax the body, and concentrating on knitting can distract you from worrying or intrusive thoughts.
Knitting can provide a sense of control during a difficult situation, circumstance, or life experience. It can help an individual deal with depression more effectively. Knitting, surprisingly, can both calm and sharpen the mind. Knitting has been shown to enhance cognitive capacity and also delay the progression of dementia in a global survey.
Knitting’s Physical Wellbeing Advantages
Since it engages all aspects of the body and the brain, it can stimulate both the mind and the body. Knitting has been found to suppress stress hormones and lower blood pressure, leading to greater general physical and mental wellbeing.
When it comes to chronic illnesses and knitting, the benefits are undeniable. Knitting is a distraction from suffering and a sense of purpose for those who suffer from chronic pain. Knitting regularly will help keep joints nimble as we get older, avoiding arthritis and tendonitis in the hands.
Knitting for the Sake of Community & Compassion
Knitting will help us create community as well as provide self-contained benefits to our bodies and minds. If you visit an in-person knitting community at a local yarn store or an online knitting network, engaging with other knitters will help you feel less lonely.
Don’t forget that knitting can be used as a volunteer or charitable event. One of the best opportunities to feel linked to the world around you and realize that you’re having a positive effect on others is to craft for a higher cause.
Knitting was an effective therapy for a group of people suffering from compassion exhaustion by one study. Suppose knitting will help those in the study rediscover kindness and caring. In that case, we believe it can help us be more compassionate and respectful of one another.
