The Studied Benefits of Crocheting

So many hours crocheting and honestly, I'm starting to feel a little Loop - y!

Crocheting is a gateway to mindfulness, allowing you to find your inner creativity and self-expression in a project. Today’s young adults are up to ten times more likely to experience depression and anxiety than their grandparents were. Crocheting is a fun hobby that you can make amazing things with, like blankets, scarves, beanies, and toys just to name a few. However, it is so much more than just a hobby; it has many health benefits, such as relaxation, relieving depression and anxiety, and reducing memory loss. Several studies have been done showing how crocheting can help with mental health, anxiety, stress, depression, memory loss, and PSTD. The Anxiety Resource Centre published an article (Houtman, 2017) showing that crocheting calls for a lot of brain power that requires focus, and this is the time crafters can tune out external stressors. The study also found that the repetitive movement needed with the stitches can be very calming. Patients with PSTD reported that they had fewer flashbacks as a result of picking up crocheting as a hobby. Next time you are feeling stressed or overwhelmed, grab a crochet hook and see if it can help you as well.

'A ball of yarn a day keeps the doctor away.'

Depression

Studies show that crocheting can help relieve depression. The constant soothing motion of hook creating the stitches can enhance the release of serotonin, a neurotransmitter in the body that plays a key role in mood regulation, learning, sleep, and pain perception. A study from the National Library of Medicine (Burns and Van Der Meer, 2020) suggests that 80% of individuals with depression felt happier after crocheting or knitting.

Anxiety

Crocheting can help to work through stress and anxiety. It can also help you with mindfulness and being present in the moment. Crocheting creates new pathways in the brain when you are learning new skills. When the pathways in the brain get strengthened, it helps to quiet the mind and relax. The number one benefit of crocheting is relaxation and mindfulness. Crocheting keeps your mind focused and your hands busy, and it has a calming effect and reduces your anxiety. It allows you to let go of the things that you are stressed about or have anxiety about. Crocheting can calm anxiety by keeping your mind focused and your hands moving. Counting the crochet stitches on your project can take your mind off of the world around you. It allows your mind to take a step back from whatever is bothering you or causing you stress and allows you to zone out while your mind focuses on the repetitive motion. Before you know it, several minutes later, you’ve crocheted up several rows, and you’ve not thought about whatever was stressing you out. Next time you are feeling anxious or stressed, grab some yarn and a crochet hook and allow your mind to refocus. Crocheting has helped me a lot with my anxiety.

Uniqueness

Anything you create is unique to you, especially crochet. Creating something with crochet, the size of the hook, the thickness of the yarn you use, and even the tightness of the stitches themselves are all part of making your piece stand out, and you can also express your feelings, personal identity, and creative mind through your crochet projects. The art of making a simple thread into an amazing complex design.

Community

Many mental health issues can make you feel alone and lead us to isolate ourselves from others. There are plenty of ways to meet new people in your community through the art of crochet.

Here are a few ideas:

1. Online Crochet Communities

2. Crochet Lessons or Workshops

3. Crochet Group Meetings

4. Craft Shows

5. Yarn Shops/Craft Sores

6. Social Media

Mindfulness

Hobbies like crochet with a repetitive motion is very therapeutic. Mindfulness is described as a state of being fully present and aware of your thoughts and emotions in that particular moment, without judgement. Crochet can be extremely beneficial for restoring your inner balance, mindfulness, and so much more. Mindfulness can be achieved by entering a mindfulness state to clear your mind and focus. Crochet and other needlework are amazing practices for this. Repetitive motions involved in making stitches together with crochet pattern designs will give you a perfect opportunity to distract yourself and soothe your anxiety, depression, PTSD, stress, relieve pain, trauma, lower blood pressure, lower heart rate, and so much more. The meditative-like qualities produced through crocheting can help people forget their mental and physical struggles for a certain amount of time on a day-to - day basis.

The Benefits of Crocheting

1. Crocheting may help with Alzheimer’s and dementia.

2. Crocheting can help you be more mindful of your feelings and emotions.

3. You may be able to use crocheting to help a broad range of mental health conditions, such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, stress, pain, trauma, lower blood pressure, lower heart rate, memory function, anorexia, and so much more.

4. Crocheting gives you a sense of achievement, accomplishment, and a strong supportive community when you are feeling low.

5. Crochet can go anywhere with you (I take my crochet with me wherever I go). Just tuck your crochet in your pocket, purse, handbag, or tote, and a soothing device is always nearby when your symptoms of panic, stress, or anxiety arise.

6. Holding your hands together in front of your body creates a protective 'safety bubble.' It provides you with space, comfort, and is helpful in stressful or anxious situations.

7. There are many stories of people who have relieved anxiety, PTSD, depression, stress, memory loss, and so much more with crochet. Crocheting helps with relaxation, mindfulness, relieving depression, and keeping your mind focused.

Repeat Crafter Me Crochet Along October Square (Owl)

Written Pattern: https://www.repeatcrafterme.com/2023/10/owl-crochet-square.html

Video Pattern:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hPhP00_Q2Q

Customer Hall Of Fame

I love receiving photos of my blankets that people have ordered from me.

The frog blanket you see below I turned it into a wall hanging. This is my very first wall hanging that I have crocheted. I am very happy with how it turned out!

I've gotta go! Your girl is hooked and busy ❤

References

Burns, P. and Van Der Meer, R. (2020). Happy Hookers: findings from an international study exploring the effects of crochet on wellbeing. Perspectives in Public Health, 141(3), p.175791392091196. doi:https://doi.org/10.1177/1757913920911961.

Houtman, B. (2017). How Crochet and Knitting Help the Brain. [online] Anxiety Resource Center. Available at: https://www.anxietyresourcecenter.org/2017/10/crochet-helps-brain/.