HANDKNITTING TO RELAX


There are a lot of theories about why knitting is good for the brain.
Once a knitter has mastered the movements, the process is rhythmic and repetitive. According to the Benson-Henry Institute for Mind-Body Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital, knitting’s repetitious movements theoretically can elicit the famous relaxation response, which is the body’s counterbalance to stress, a state in which heart rate and blood pressure fall, breathing slows and levels of stress hormones drop.
Knitting also involves following and recognizing patterns, learning new stitches and using both hands and math, lending it the capacity to improve fine motor skills while also keeping the mind active and engaged. The Waldorf Schools, for example, teach children to knit before teaching them to read in the belief that knitting develops dexterity, focus and rudimentary arithmetic.
The social aspect of knitting, too, plays into knitting’s positive mental benefits. For people who like to knit in groups, knitting provides a social outlet, a critical element in maintaining mental health. And it allows for self-expression, charity and that sense of feeling productive.
 

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