Cast On for Your Health

Cast On for Your Health

What may be the health benefits of knitting or crocheting?

      May lower blood pressure

      May relieve chronic pain

      May relieve stress and anxiety

      May strengthen the immune system

      May help fight depression

      May help you beat bad habits

      May build confidence and self esteem and a sense of accomplishment

      May connect you with other people

      May reduce dementia

The arts of knitting and crochet offer us a wide range of health benefits on top of the beauty that comes off the needles when the project is finished.  To most of us who knit or crochet, it is a relaxing experience, almost mesmerizing, as the stitches slide along the needles or hook; it can actually put you into a meditative state.  Just like meditating itself, this relaxing state can help lower your heart rate and blood pressure.

Many will argue that knitting and crochet can help those of us living with chronic pain.  How, you ask?  Wouldn’t the repetitive motions create more pain like repetitive motion injury or carpal tunnel syndrome?  Yes, that is possible, but in most cases unlikely.  Will it completely take your pain away?  No, but knitting and crochet need your attention and take your mind off of your pain; it is used as a distraction.  As always, remember to stretch your hands, fingers, wrists and arms before and during knitting or crocheting and use good posture to avoid further pain.

Putting your excess energy into your knitting or crochet project as well as again, finding that meditative state can relieve stress and anxiety.  Studies have shown that people with less stress and anxiety in their lives also have stronger immune systems and more easily ward of infection and disease.

Doing things that you enjoy release serotonin and dopamine in the brain, or little “waves of happiness”.  When you feel these little “waves of happiness” you naturally want to feel more.  For people who are battling depression, this is a very important concept that does not necessarily come naturally.  The repetitive motions of knitting and crocheting can keep a constant stream of these “happy waves” flowing and help in the fight with depression.  

Knitting and crochet can help beat bad habits.  Do you smoke, enjoy junk food, chew your nails or maybe have other habits you are looking to break?  All of these things are hard to do when you have your hands full with needles and yarn.

Knitting and crochet can also build your self-esteem and add to your sense of accomplishment.  Self-esteem, confidence and a sense of accomplishment is important at any age.  When you learn a new stitch, technique or pattern, or finish that project no matter how big or how small, it makes you feel good and like you’ve accomplished something.  Once you start doing this, the more confident you become in learning new skills and you will begin to challenge yourself.  You will be truly amazed at what you can do.

These arts can also help to connect you with other people and can be a social as you want them to be.  Maybe you decide to take a class to learn new skills or join a club or group, not only may there be an instructor, but other people who share your passion to interact with.  Rather knit by yourself?  The hobby can still be social; the craft is portable and often times you will see people knitting or crocheting in public places like waiting rooms, airports and airplanes or even sporting events and restaurants.  If you are a public knitter, at some point someone is bound to approach you and talk to you about what you are doing.  I haven’t met a knitter yet who doesn’t love to share their passion with others.

Knitting and crochet is exercise for the brain and may help reduce the risk of dementia.  When you are doing these crafts, you need to focus on what you are doing, follow a pattern and often times keep count of your stitches, all of which are like doing little sit-ups for the brain to keep it healthy.

I am not a doctor, most of the information stated is from various studies that I’ve found online, some from medical groups, some not.  I am however a knitter who lives with chronic pain, stress and anxiety, a compromised immune system and depression all of which has lead me to a life of often feeling little self worth or accomplishment and turned me into an extreme introvert.  I can attest that when I am knitting I am happy and can somewhat forget about my pain.  I get excited to knit and learn new techniques.  I love to knit in public and I love to share my passion for knitting with other people, it opens me up a bit.  I also love the feeling of finishing a project and giving it to someone special, whom I know will appreciate the love and hard work that I put into it.  Knitting indeed gives me a sense of accomplishment and brings out a spark, a bit of passion in me.

Properly practiced, knitting soothes the troubled spirit, and it doesn’t hurt the untroubled spirit, either.

-Elizabeth Zimmerman

 

Why not try knitting or crocheting for the love of the art AND for your health today?  Find thousands of free and for sale patterns at www.ravelry.com and support your indie dyer, find great yarn at https://www.etsy.com/shop/CreatingWithSticks?section_id=14772975&ref=shopsection_leftnav_8 or from many other indie dyers that can also be found on Ravelry, Etsy or local to you.