Therapeutic Knitting

As some of you readers know, I enjoy looking into the benefits of knitting. Maybe it's to justify my addiction or maybe I really do just enjoy researching this kind of stuff. Probably just trying to justify my addiction.

This article I came across was simply the best one I have read yet. It goes over virtually all of the medicinal benefits of knitting. Including a few mentions about those who have trouble sleeping (that would be me).

It also has a section about anxiety and panic attacks. This section I found extremely interesting because I have know firsthand about multiple people who have started knitting and since then have had a decrease in panic attacks. This is because repetitive movements cause the release of serotonin. Serotonin levels effect your moods.

Click on the header of this post to read this very interesting article!

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Arthritis and Knitting

I am sure many of you knitting girls (or guys) out there have been told that you are going to get arthritis from all of the knitting you do. I myself have been told this a few times. Although there have been times where I have had wrist pain and have had my fingers cramp up.

There are many people that focus on the damage knitting can potentially do to you, but what many people don't take the time to notice is how knitting can benefit you. There have been multiple people who have said that knitting has helped their arthritis. This is because knitting is used as exersize. Some people have also claimed that "warming up" as you would in sports helps ease the pain at any age. Stretching the muscles in your hands and wrists and soaking in warm water to ease the tension are two things that people do to help them prepare to knit.

So while some people suffer from arthritis and cannot knit, it may help others! The article I linked below has a few more ideas for people who knit and crochet but are having a hard time.

http://www.arthritistoday.org/daily-living/do-it-easier/around-the-house/arthritis-needlework.php

Let me know if you guys have any other tips or stories about knitting and arthritis.

Decrease odds of memory loss

Another huge benefit of knitting!

I was told once by a friend that also is an avid knitter that she read a study that Nun's have much lower risk of Alzheimer's. The study showed that the Nun's all had one thing in common, they were knitters. After she told me about that I thought it may be interesting to see what info I could find on the subject.

According to a study done by the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, knitter have decreased memory loss. This decrease is quite large, between 30-50%. So if you ever get the feeling that you are wasting time knitting, think again!

Instead of yoga... try knitting

I have been reading lately about the benefits of knitting. I really became interested in it when someone made a comment to me about knitting making me less stressed. I thought about it and realized it truly does make me feel better. It's almost like I get lost in the "knitting zone" and just don't think about the other things that are going on in life.

So I thought to myself, I doubt it's just me that feels like this. I did a little bit of research online and found multiple articles that talked about knitting having the same benefits as yoga. It causes you to slow down and relax. It forces you to sit and focus on a goal that you are trying to accomplish. Learning something new in knitting and taking time to develop your talent also coincides with yoga. You are developing mental and physical skills and it is beneficial for your health.

Most importantly (for me anyways), it makes you take a break. So me getting into my "knitting zone" is really taking a break from all of the stressful things in my life.

I thought some of this information was interesting and thought I would pass some of the info onto you.