Therapeutic crafting

Is today a time to teach or a time to learn? (Or both!)

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The calming, curative, therapeutic benefits of knitting and crochet have been scientifically proven time and again to reduce stress and increase pleasure and well being.

Okay, what we're not going to do is suggest that you should be knitting or crocheting right now! 

You know best what will give you peace of mind during this challenging time, and the last thing we need to do is guilt-trip ourselves by feeling like we somehow ought to be more productive!

We've both put projects down and picked projects up over the last month, and felt sure both times that that decision was the right one. 


So we're just saying if . . . if you have been thinking about picking back up knitting or crochet and wondering if what they say about their therapeutic value is true, we have some gentle encouragement and information:

Crochet and knitting have been scientifically proven time and again to reduce stress and increase pleasure and well being.

A study of "people who described feeling out of control of their lives, worthless, lonely and isolated because of chronic illness" concluded that "the discovery of knitting had a hugely positive impact on their well-being.

"First and foremost, they felt knitting gave them something productive, creative and enjoyable to do. 

"Forgotten feelings, such as excitement and anticipation, were rekindled and they began to plan ahead, set goals, and experience increased self-esteem."

The main conditions that therapeutic knitting is used for are:

Stress
Low mood
Depression
Anxiety
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

A Time to Recharge
 
According to an article in the New York Times, "the repetitive action of needlework can induce a relaxed state like that associated with meditation and yoga. 

"Once you get beyond the initial learning curve, knitting and crocheting can lower heart rate and blood pressure and reduce harmful blood levels of the stress hormone cortisol. . . Perhaps most exciting is research that suggests that crafts like knitting and crocheting may help to stave off a decline in brain function with age."

Let go . . . of what you can!

Knitting and crochet "have been used by occupational therapists to alleviate symptoms of depression," reports a Washington Post article:
In one study of 38 women struggling with mental health concerns, after an average of 80 minutes of knitting a day for three weeks, patients reported less fear and preoccupation, that knitting had a calming effect, and that knitting gave them a sense of pride, satisfaction and accomplishment.

Calming, healing. . . 
 
Plus, a 2012 academic study published in the British Journal of Occupational Therapy concluded that knitting "can impact positively on health and wellbeing," and is effective "for relaxation, stress relief and creativity."

The study "results show a significant relationship between knitting frequency and feeling calm and happy. More frequent knitters also reported higher cognitive functioning. 

"Knitting has significant psychological and social benefits, which can contribute to wellbeing and quality of life. As a skilled and creative occupation, it has therapeutic potential."