The Mental Health Benefits of Knitting

Knitting is a creative process, with the right pattern and a little knowledge you can create virtually anything. It can be cheaper than purchasing clothes and certainly gives a high level of satisfaction. After all, you’ve made something by yourself.

In fact, knitting has dramatically increased in popularity over the last few years.

Finding the knitting wool store and finding the good stuff can save money but may not give health benefits that you can get by it yourself.

It can actually offer an array of mental health benefits:

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Reduced Levels of Anxiety

Anxiety and depression are common conditions, especially as people age and are faced with new challenges. The simple fact is that we all live in a very stressful world, in many respects, this is thanks to the rise of the instant gratification society.

In order to cope with anxiety, stress, and ultimately depression, you need a distraction. Knitting is actually fantastic for this purpose. Your focus will be on following a pattern, getting the stitches right, and creating the article properly.

In short, you’ll be distracted from the rest of your life and your body will have a chance to relax, de-stressing in the process.

Decreased Likelihood of Dementia

People who exercise regularly are more likely to stay mobile as they age. The same is true for your mind. If you exercise it regularly you’re less likely to suffer the effects of dementia and other age-related mental issues.

It’s simply a case of staying active mentally and knitting, with all the different patterns, helps you to do this.

Social Bonding

You can knit by yourself. But, you can also knit as a group or join a social media group to share your creations. This allows you the opportunity to bond with others which is a great way of giving your life new meaning and avoiding feeling lonely.

Even if you don’t seek social media contact, having made your creations you’re more likely to talk to strangers about what you’ve created. You may even sell a few items, providing another opportunity to meet people.

Knitting provides you with a connection to others that will help you to form bonds and keep loneliness at bay. That has to be good for your mental health.

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Lowers Your Blood Pressure

Reducing your blood pressure may not seem directly linked with mental health but it will improve the health of every part of your body.

High blood pressure has been linked with an increased risk of cardiovascular issues, strokes, and even Alzheimer’s. Reducing your blood pressure will help to decrease this risk, improving both your mental and physical health.

Pain Relief

As a bonus, knitting can help to distract you from other things in your life, including chronic pain. This will help you to deal with any issue and make it more bearable, which will have a positive effect on your mental well-being.

It’s essential to remember that your mental well-being is as important as your physical well-being, looking after one will help you to look after the other.