I have always been a crafter enjoying the time I spend sitting relaxing and participating in a repetitive task that eventually leads to a feeling of accomplishment. I especially like knitting and crocheting. I love the way my mind relaxes as my fingers work on the task getting better with each stitch. As an anxious person, I am acutely aware of my brain’s propensity to be on alert and notice when participating in these activities my mind relaxes significantly. This made me wonder if there were tangible aspects of knitting and crocheting that could be defined and brought to the public as a tool to support mental health. I was happy to discover that studies have been done to support and define this idea. Â
Achieving Mindfulness through Knitting
Knitting and crocheting are repetitive tasks that put your mind in a meditative state. Like practicing mindfulness, knitting and crocheting trains your mental state to tune into your current experiences, focus on the present, and to achieve a state of calm concentration and positive emotions. Studies have shown that knitting and crocheting, much like meditation, decreases levels of stress hormones, like cortisol, and assists in the release of the neurotransmitter serotonin, which is associated with feeling happy. Â
Studies have also shown other aspects of these crafts that can assist with improving your overall mental health. The repetitive nature of the task is a good distraction or replacement as our bodies use repetitive motions like pacing, taping, eating, and smoking to calm our nerves during stressful moments. In learning a new task or figuring out a new pattern, new neuropathways are created strengthening the brain and its capacity to function. Also, the completion of the task produces a piece of work that gives an individual a sense of accomplishment furthering good feelings and confidence. Â
In conclusion, if you are feeling stressed, anxious, or burnt out and looking for self-care tactics you may want to expand your repertoire into the crafting world. There are many positive aspects of adding this simple task to your relaxation routine!Â
About Erin Cuomo:
Erin is a Resident in Counseling at Healthy Minds Therapy, PLLC. She graduated from Argosy University with her Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology and her undergraduate degree in Psychology is from the University of Illinois at Chicago.Â
Erin believes in a client-centered counseling experience with an emphasis on the power of the therapeutic alliance. She believes everyone has the capacity to understand their issues and the ability to improve their mental health. She utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Solution Focused Therapy liking their evidence-based techniques that help get the client involved.