Knitting And Your Health

Unlike a lot of knitters, I wasn’t taught how to knit by my mother or grandmother. It wasn’t an activity that was passed down from generation to generation. In fact, I can’t think of anyone else in my family that knits. I became a knitter on a whim, as an outlet to relieve stress and depression and help me cope with the many pressures I was dealing with in my life at the time. I had found something that took me to a happy place. I know what knitting has done for me mentally and emotionally, so I was not surprised to hear that knitting has many actual health benefits. Are you looking to get your mind, and yes, your body (in some ways 😊), healthy and together? Try knitting. Here are a few of the health benefits of knitting:

1. Reduces stress/anxiety. Knitting has been shown to help relieve stress and anxiety. The repetitive movements and rhythm of knitting can cause a meditative state, reducing stress. Fun fact, actor Russell Crowe has been said to knit as a way to deal with anger management. Who knew.

2. Can help lower blood pressure. This makes sense, really. If knitting can help relieve stress, then it certainly can help lower blood pressure. When you’re calm, your heart doesn’t have to work as hard, lowering your heart rate a little and lowering your blood pressure.

3. Distraction from pain. I can personally relate to this. Having injured my back several years ago and dealing with sciatic pain, I can attest to how knitting helps distract me from my chronic pain. When you’re immersed in your knitting and focused on the project at hand, your mind is distracted from any pain you may be suffering from, even if just for a little while. However, keep in mind that you must keep proper posture and have proper support when knitting to help prevent any further pain or injury.

4. Helps with cognitive function. Not only is knitting good for hand/eye coordination, but it can help ward off early dementia in the elderly. It’s an activity that can help keep your brain sharp and focused.

5. Encourages socializing. Knitting is an activity that helps bring people together. Introverts, like me, find it hard to just hang out in certain social settings, but knitting seems to be a very common activity amongst introverts (I’ve found this out just by talking to other introverts) and we are more willing to gather with others that share that same interest, henceforth, allowing us to become more social. Also knitting aides in helping the elderly counter the loneliness and isolation that so many of them deal with by forming knitting clubs and gathering on a regular basis. It’s very healthy for the elderly to have a good social life with their peers.

So, it seems that knitting really can have a good effect on your overall well-being. All you knitters out there, experienced or beginners, be sure to take time to knit every day, even if just for a few minutes. Take that time to take out your needles and yarn, turn off the tv, turn on some music, put down your cell phone, and knit a bit. Your mind and body will thank you.