Does knitting benefit your mental health?
How to combat depression and boost mental wellness with knitting
Who does knitting help? and why?
There is increasing evidence that knitting positively impacts your mental health. Knitting is not only good for the elderly and women, it’s for children, young adults and men as well.
The process of knitting has psychological and calming benefits. It evokes a sense of productivity and accomplishment.
Anti-depressants or knit a sweater?
In a study by professor Kelly Lambert, she explains the increase in depression and dependence on anti-depressant prescription drugs because of modern lack of activities. Our daily life routines have diminished our instant reward system in our minds. Lambert states that when working with our hands to create a tangible end product will boost and stimulate serotonin, which opens the door to feeling hopeful about living and the ability to accomplish goals in your life.
Knitting for Children
In the United States, 1 and 5 children are living in poverty which causes anxiety and the onset of depression triggers. If a child shows interest in knitting, this practice is a great long lasting tool as not only a coping mechanism, but a way to thrive in life. In the beginning of learning knitting at an early age will teach patience, peace and perseverance. The confidence of a completed item you can wear or give as a gift is a long lasting effect of personal abilities that is admired by others.
Knitting for addicts
Addictions of all kinds are plaguing the us. Food, drugs, smart phones, and even stressful routines can become a harmful addiction. It’s a vicious cycle at some point. When you are in recovery from harmful addictions, it’s a lifetime a learning a new way. It’s step by step, day by day, and sometimes even moment by moment. Knitting have a rhythm that is stitch by stitch; and with every stitch you can start to see the amazing accomplishment of just a minor move within your goal.
Knitting for loneliness
If you are suffering from loneliness and want to change that in some way, that is easier said then done due to the fact that uplifting mood activities or dating are difficult when self esteem or confidence may be low. There are micro-therapeutic tasks that can be done daily to enhance your mood and overall esteem in a short amount of time of daily knitting. Even if you dedicate one day a week to knitting you will start to feel better and in return more courage to reach out and build lasting friendships
Knitting for Community
Hand knitters have always been important to communities throughout history. Being needed in some way gives everyone value. When it comes to knitting for others or teaching people how to knit, it is a form of charity and/or mutual aid. This is an important opportunity to engage, help, support and provide to other human beings. I stress this point because when you’re giving to people you are creating a paradigm for people around you to also take care of you as well.
Conclusion
In my personal experience of living my adult life with anxiety disorders from childhood traumas, I didn’t realize the importance of a neighbor teaching me how to knit at the age of 8. In my early adulthood life, I would turn to knitting and journaling not knowing the scientific relief it gave me. So once I thought life was back on track, I thought it’s ok to stop and focus back on daily life routine of productivity only. Once I truly understood the real effects of my knitting abilities and the extremely positive impact it was having on me, I then incorporated knitting into my daily life and have reaped major ongoing health benefits both mentally and physically.
Do you think knitting can help your mental health and wellness?
References:
Kristine Kelly YouTube post: RESEARCH ON KNITTING & MENTAL HEALTH
Kelly Lambert book: A Neuroscientist's Hands-On Approach to Activating Your Brain's Healing Power