Knitting is an activity that has been around for centuries, and it has been used for many different purposes. From creating clothing and accessories to providing a sense of relaxation and calm, knitting has been used to help people cope with stress, anxiety, and depression. Recent research has shown that knitting can have a positive effect on mental health, as it can help to reduce stress levels, improve mood, and even reduce the risk of dementia. Tissue Rhythm Helps with Serotonin Release.
Serotonin is a chemical transmitter that helps regulate anxiety, happiness, and mood. Studies have shown that there is a strong connection between tissue and feelings of calm and happiness in the brain. In addition to the activity itself, many weavers find benefits in the social nature of the fabric, whether they belong to a local fabric group or an online community. In a clinical setting, a study of a group of people who have eating disorders showed that tissue had a significant effect on reducing anxiety and calming obsessive thoughts or worries.
Knitting helped to lessen the intensity of their fears, clear their minds, and provide a sense of pride and accomplishment. All participants in the study considered that the tissue had a positive impact on their recovery. They also said they would recommend the practice to other patients with eating disorders. Dr.
Barry Jacobs of Princetown University discovered that animals that perform repetitive movements trigger a release of serotonin, the neurotransmitter associated with calm and well-being. In addition, there are schools across the country that incorporate knitting into the curriculum. The activity is said to develop fine motor skills, among other skills, such as learning to read, since the tissue exercises on both sides of the brain. Once you overcome the initial learning curve, knitting and crocheting can lower heart rate and blood pressure and lower harmful blood levels of the stress hormone cortisol. The Craft Yarn Council reports that one-third of women aged 25 to 35 now knit or crochet. Finding a way to relieve chronic pain can sometimes lead people to unexpected solutions, and for many, knitting has become an integral part of pain management.
The repetitive and rhythmic movements that make up the tissue could be the key to relaxation. We've already mentioned that knitting in a social setting, whether in real life or online, offers great mental health benefits, but another element is that knitting is often an opportunity to give back, which can be a big boost to your mental health. A woman encouraged to try knitting and crochet after developing an autoimmune disease that caused a lot of pain in her hands reported on the Craft Yarn Council site that her hands are now less stiff and painful. The results of a case study presented at the British Pain Society Annual Scientific Meeting showed that many weavers with chronic pain said that knitting helped control their symptoms. For weavers with depression, group knitting was significantly related to feeling happier and better about themselves. From increasing the size of your social circle to reducing stress in the workplace, the potential mental health benefits of adopting a knitting habit are endless. The fabric has the ability to ease people into a state of mindfulness without them even knowing it, allowing people to experience the practice in a different way and use the tool to their advantage. Mental exercises such as playing board games, reading and knitting can reduce the risk of dementia according to a study conducted by the New England Journal of Medicine and the Mayo Clinic. Since the 1990s, the board has surveyed hundreds of thousands of knitters and crocheters who routinely list stress relief and creative fulfillment as the main benefits of activities.
