Knitting has a bit of a rep for being something for the older generation, but this stereotype is gradually dissipating as we learn of the hobby’s health benefits that all of us can enjoy, no matter what age.

Many of us knit or crochet for the relaxation it provides. There’s nothing more meditative than working away on a knitting project, freeing your mind of worries and focusing only on the task at hand. And this relaxation is more than just a feeling – science has found that it can actually improve our health, especially our mental health.

Let’s start with the basics – what actually is knitting?

Knitting is a form of crafting, which refers to anything that a person hand-makes. The crafting process varies depending on the project at hand, but in all situations, the crafter ends up with a physical reward – the craft or product they have produced.

Here’s what psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi had to say about crafting in a 2004 TED Talk:

“You know that what you need to do is possible to do, even though difficult, and sense of time disappears. You forget yourself. You feel part of something larger.” He describes this process as “flow”.

This is where the meditative properties of crafting come into play. According to Csikszentmihalyi, when we practice the “flow” process, our brains focus on one task only. This causes us to become “temporarily suspended” in time – which sounds a bit scary, but essentially just means we’re engrossed in the task at hand. This feeling of intense focus is almost identical to the feeling of being in a meditative state.

Most of us know the health benefits of meditation. It’s said to improve mood and boost a person’s health, but how many of us actually find the time to do it?

If you find it difficult to sit and actively think “nothing”, knitting and crocheting is a good alternative. While you’re busy crafting away, you won’t even realise that your brain has switched off the nattering thoughts, as it does when you’re meditating.

There’s not much scientific research on meditation at the moment, but one study conducted at Johns Hopkins University by Madhav, Goyal M.D., found that “Mindfulness meditation programs” showed improvement in mental health. Notably, participants experienced reduced anxiety and depression as a result of mindful meditation, which proved to be even more effective than other forms of meditation, like Mantra.

These results may not be super impressive, but they do show that mindful meditation itself, which can be achieved through crafting, can positively affect a person’s mental health. Simply by focusing on the present and clearing your brain of any “clutter”, you can enjoy an uplift in mood.

Aside from benefiting from positive mental health, of course, knitting and crocheting also offer a reward: your finished product. For most of us, this is enough to bring about happiness, through a natural increase in dopamine levels, from a “job well done”.

If you’re already a crafter and want to do more, or you’re completely new to the hobby and fancy giving it a go, now’s your time to get stuck in! Not only will you produce some pretty exceptional pieces of handiwork, but you’ll also benefit from a natural mood boost. It’s a win-win situation!

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Source: Relieved