Everyone
knows that volunteering is good for your health, but did you know that knitting
or crocheting is also great for you, and can even provide healing? Anyone who knits and crochets for charity has twice the benefit for
healing themselves, as well as others.
According to LionBrand, "Yarn heals. Whether
you prefer needles or hooks or a combination of both, crafting can soothe your
body and mend your mind. Anecdotal evidence has shown this for decades and new
research confirms it with science." Here are some health benefits to keeping your
hands active:
Helps to Relieve Depression
The methodical
repetition movement has been shown to release serotonin, a natural
anti-depressant. CNN recently
reported that “in one study of more than 3,500 knitters, published in The
British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 81% of respondents with depression
reported feeling happy after knitting. More than half reported feeling “very
happy.”
Reduces Anxiety and Helps to Calm
Knitting
and Crocheting keeps your mind focused on a simple project. The repetitive hand
motion helps calm the mind, slows the breathing and reduces anxiety. The
counting has even been shown to serve as a productive outlet for people with
anxiety associated with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder as well as eating
disorders
May Reduce Dementia
Several studies have shown that knitting
and crochet can postpone age-related memory loss. The crafts can also be
soothing for those people who are already experiencing signs of dementia.
Recently, researcher Yonas Geda, MD, a neuropsychiatrist at the Mayo Clinic,
completed a that showed knitting is neuroprotective and may reduce
dementia by as much as 50%.
Helps Insomnia
Ever been so tired you just can’t sleep? Your brain is going a mile a
minute and can’t shut off. The soft, soothing, easy, repetitive of crocheting
and knitting can help your mind wind down just enough to get to sleep. Stitchlinks, a UK organization that does research into the benefits of
knitting, reports that a study by professor Herbert Benson of the Mind/Body
Medical Institute found that 100% of insomnia patients reported improved sleep
with 90% being able to eliminate medication in a program that included knitting.
Builds Self-Esteem
Crafting
and creating projects actually helps build self-esteem. It builds new skills whether it’s making a
simple scarf, a beautiful blanket, fun stuffed toys or elaborate clothing. It
allows self-expression through colour and texture. It provides
a way to give to others and keeps you busy and productive.
Builds Community Involvement
Knitters and Crocheters are able to join
other crafting groups to share and learn the skill within their community. They
can attend local events and fairs. Donate items to Seniors homes, Cancer
patients, Newborns in hospitals and so much more.
What’s the number one way that knitting or crochet heals you?