Can knitting delay memory loss and help you manage anxiety?
Posted on in Creative News
The online lifestyle blog, Canadian Living has picked up on Betsan's research from her latest book exploring the health and wellness factors surrounding knitting.
According to new studies, hobbies like knitting and crochet may help ward off or manage mental health issues like anxiety, eating disorders and memory loss.
It is this research which has fueled the blog's latest article, exploring the theory that knitting allows you to not only create a
beautiful end product, but all while benefiting your mental and physical
health.
The article shares four reasons why you should pick up some yarn...
1. Knitting can make you feel calm and happy.
Plus, it's even better for you if you do it in a group. In a study published in the British Journal of Occupational Therapy, researchers state that there's a significant relationship between knitting frequency and feeling calm and happy. Furthermore, "more frequent knitters also reported higher cognitive functioning." Also, knitting in a group is important. "Knitting in a group impacted significantly on perceived happiness, improved social contact and communication with others," concluded the study.
2. Knitting works as a sort of meditation.
Doctors at the Massachusetts General Hospital Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine, doctors found that meditation-like activities reduced blood pressure. Through his studies, Dr. Herbert Benson found that creating a relaxation response through repeating words, phrases or movements by doing things like tai chi, yoga and knitting can all be beneficial.
3. Knitting can help manage anxiety in those with eating disorders.
In one such study, subjects were asked to report on the effects of knitting on their psychological states. Seventy four percent of subjects said it lessened the intensity of their fears and helped clear their mind of eating disorder preoccupation.
4. Knitting can help delay memory loss.
A Mayo Clinic study has shown that activities such as knitting, reading and quilting along with other social activities in midlife can help cut the risk that people would develop memory loss in their 70s or 80s by more than one-third.
For more info on the the benefits of knitting, check out the Craft Yarn Council's video here as part of their new campaign.
Knit for Health and Wellness
A new book also calls out the benefits of knitting. In Knit for Health & Wellness: How to knit a flexible mind and more, written by Betsan Corkhill, an expert in therapeutic, readers can learn how to therapeutically knit.
The book has already made an impact worldwide with copies being sold in Australia, US, UK, Spain, Germany and more!
The e-book is out now and you can look out for the print version from September when it launches at IKnit London on 20th, Craft, Hobby & Stitch on 21st and 22nd then finally at a conference in Ghent on 23rd.