Need some inspiration to craft more or explain to your family the time you spend making scarves? Well, the world of crocheting offers a range of benefits that positively impact your overall well-being!
1. Benefits of crocheting
- Better ability to cope with illness (physical or mental)
- Decreased risk of cognitive impairment as you age
2. But why do crocheting and knitting help?
- Engaging in relaxed, repetitive motions like crochet and Knitting has a calming effect on both the body and the mind. Have you ever come home after a tough day and found solace in sitting down to work on your current project? Not only does immersing yourself in a beloved craft bring joy, but the actual physical movements involved also contribute to creating a more positive mood. Betsan Corkhill, the author of “Knit for Health & Wellness”, collected the responses of participants and found that the act of knitting “those who were clinically depressed said that knitting made them feel happy or very happy.” In addition, Corkhill also found in a study that people with chronic pain were able to reduce their experience of chronic pain by focusing on knitting.
- Help with fine motor skills and keeping your fingers and hands feeling good as you age. Additionally, crochet patterns involve elements of math, providing an opportunity to keep your mind sharp and practice mathematical skills. This practical application of math in real-life situations is especially advantageous for children, as it allows them to see tangible examples that reinforce what they learn in the classroom.
- Crocheting and knitting often involve social interactions, whether through formal classes, regular guild meetings, or casual get-togethers with friends. These shared activities provide firsthand experience of how well knitting and crocheting complement social settings. Being in the company of friends can help combat feelings of loneliness and isolation, which are known to contribute to health problems.
