I was convinced that knitting positively affected mental health after the transformative experience it had on my anxiety and depression, but it wasn’t until I researched more that I discovered how incredible this craft really is. 

1. Meditative Effects

Knitting is known to be an active meditation. Repetitive action associated with the craft induces a relaxed state, similar to the state you’re in when meditating or doing yoga. Beyond being a newbie in these crafts, your body relaxes even more and can enter a relaxation response, which is when your heart rate and blood pressure falls, breathing slows and levels of stress hormones drop. 

Interviews with people in different publications reveal how life changing this craft has been for parents of sick children, people suffering with eating disorders, cancer, anxiety, depression and so much more. It’s even helped people give up smoking, drugs and helped people in prison.

“Learning how to knit preemie hats gave me a sense of purpose during a time when I felt very helpless. It’s a hobby that I’ve stuck with, and it continues to help me cope with stress at work, provide a sense of order in hectic days, and allows my brain time to solve problems” - Source: NY Times

2. Boosts Confidence

Like with all projects, finishing something that you've made or completed from scratch, whether it be baking a delicious cake, hemming you daughters school uniform or weeding your garden gives you the feeling of self accomplishment. It's no surprise that knitting a project is no different. Mood, self esteem and confidence is all something that benefits from completing a project.

3.  Consumes Your Thoughts 

Particularly helpful for those struggling with anxiety and depression, the concentration required when knitting, especially a new project requiring new skills, completely consumes your thoughts, blocking out the self defeating negative talk you may have had otherwise.

Personally, this was a huge game changer for me. As a chronic over thinker, apart from sleeping, knitting is a way to completely distract me from unwanted thoughts.

 

Let this be encouragement to pick up some yarn and learn something new because who knows how positively it could affect your mental health? Chances are, you’ll get hooked on the feeling it gives you.