Knitting: benefits for your health

In recent years, there has been an increased interest in knitting around the world. This growth began just a few years ago and is actively gaining strength. Scientists and psychologists, in particular, connect this with the increased stress that modern technology "put" on people and the huge flows of incoming information.

Those who lack handwork and opportunities to show creative initiatives find the opportunity for self-realisation during knitting. In some countries until 21 century, certain groups of people have even occasionally positioned knitting as a means of exploiting female labour, and that may be why this type of activity has been temporarily forgotten. But now everything has changed.

Knitting has become the most popular in recent years in more economically developed countries. Now, a person who is involved in knitting can be found everywhere, from the underground to the seashore. And knitting enthusiasts can do it at absolutely any time, including work breaks for lunch, while visiting cafes, walking in the parks, etc. Remarkably, knitting has become as popular as yoga. Many even compare knitting with yoga. A lot of scientists tend to think that the effect of this class is very comparable to the physical and psychological effect that yoga has on a person. In some countries, there are even special clubs where specific meetings are organized so that people who like knitting can meet, socialize and do their favourite thing together.

Besides, on the wave of interest in knitting, many companies have started organizing special meetings to exchange experiences with knitting enthusiasts from other countries.

Researches conducted at various times by specialised scientific centres have shown that there are hundreds of millions of fans of this type of activity in the world. Both men and women of different ages can be found among them. Contrary to stereotypes, knitting is considered particularly popular among people under the age of 35. In recent years, there has been a huge increase in passion for knitting under the age of 18.

Millions of men prefer to spend time in knitting bars just like women. There are also many fans of knitting among popular people, including actors, politicians, musicians and athletes.

Knitting is a good antistress treatment

It is no longer a secret why knitting is becoming so popular around the world. Scientists have determined that this activity has a beneficial effect on the human mentality and has an amazing psychotherapeutic effect. At first, of course, it takes some effort to learn knitting methods. Once you have mastered the skills, the process of knitting becomes a way of relaxation. A person who is involved in knitting can experience a sense of peace and pleasure.

With constant knitting practice, the human body learns to switch to a certain state in which the muscles and nervous system calm down and go into a relaxation state similar to that in which the body is at rest before bedtime. Heart rate is reduced and oxygen consumption is reduced, as well as the necessary energy consumption. Blood pressure is also reduced.

These states of the body undoubtedly have a positive effect on health, but such a therapeutic effect is difficult to achieve immediately. Only a beginner in knitting can experience difficulties in applying a particular knitting technique and will have to be under stress until he has mastered it properly. After gaining experience during knitting, it is easy to think about important things and relax at the same time. Knitting relieves stress and tiredness, so many people turn to this activity if they need to think in a peaceful environment.

For many, knitting is a great way to prevent the constant impact of exhaustion, insomnia and stress, and is also a great way to solve other problems that are directly related to problems in life. It is worth noting that knitting is officially considered one of the possible "psychotherapies through work". It is not uncommon to use knitting to find a cure for certain psychiatric disorders.

There is one interesting study that English researchers have done. It has been proved that a person is much less exposed to the feeling of fear during knitting. For example, when watching shows or a movie with a frightening plot, the person who knits reacts to shocking scenes is much calmer. This is how knitting protects against stress.

Is it possible to consider knitting as yoga?

Knitting is now an activity for both young and old people, and there are only more interested in it every day. Even people who don't seem to belong to the category that might be interested in this kind of activity are actively involved in it. For example, it has been noticed that sailors can often spend their free time knitting, and also truck drivers. Knitting as a stress relief can be recommended for those who are actively fighting depression caused by alcohol, nicotine and drug addiction. Knitting can help relieve a person's high emotional stress. Knitting is a great way to show creativity. It is especially relevant for those who hold positions that do not allow themselves to be expressed through imagination, creativity and ingenuity. Knitting is compared with yoga because the condition of a person who knits is very similar to meditation. Often those who knit often report that they get great satisfaction from doing it.

Yet the knitting effect itself depends on several factors:

The first is simple knitting, which frees the mind from anxious thoughts and completely relaxes, which brings the human body to a specific state with a strong sense of happiness and pleasure. Such sensations can also be achieved through classical yoga by observing the clouds or waves;

The second is complex knitting, which requires a certain level of professionalism. The mind of the knitter in this case works much more actively and is busy counting and controlling the right technique chosen for knitting. This helps to get completely involved in the work and thus get rid of unwanted thoughts related to the everyday life of the person. A similar condition can also be achieved with the help of traditional yoga, by using the technique of breathing control, etc.

However, do not think that knitting is aimed solely to avoid negative emotions. Apart from the fact that knitting a sweater is a great option for entertainment when you are alone.

Knitting can also be combined with other activities, as many people do. For example, it is possible to watch TV at the same time while knitting a hand-knit hat, talk to people you know or love, talk on the phone, listen to music and even do sports. In this case, knitting becomes a kind of additional favourite hobby, allowing you to fully enjoy the pleasures of knitting in your free time. This is particularly useful in large cities, where the rhythm of life is usually high and it is seldom possible to spend enough time on adequate rest.

Physical and psychological benefits of knitting

The physical part of the knitting is not as simple as it may seem at first sight and requires special attention, as ignoring it can cause undesirable discomfort during the knitting process and therefore make it difficult to fully enjoy the process. By following the rules for preparing for the knitting process, you can improve not only your psychological condition but also your physical condition. For example, before you start knitting, you should stretch out your limbs and back physically so that the movements during the knitting process are precise, free and easy. The position of the back is also an important point at which people who like knitting should focus their attention. The back should be held straight and should not slouch so that there is no heavy strain on the back.

By following this rule, you will save strength, avoid tiredness and stay healthy. It is important to warm up your neck regularly. This will help to avoid the appearance of pain. Knitting improves the motor skills of your hands and this can be seen even with the naked eye. Your hands should also be "warmed up" before you start knitting. This will make it easier to work in the future. In general, a full-body warm-up before the start of knitting will be beneficial and timely. Its potential should not be underestimated.

Just like in the rules of yoga you should not be overjoyed and praise your knitting achievements. You should control your emotions when you achieve success, even when it is about something with the high complexity of performance, such as an oversized jumper. It is better to be humble, love yourself and respect others. This condition will allow you to achieve great success.

In addition to all the above, it is worth noting that although this activity has a lot of useful features, it is not recommended that you do it for 24/7. There are only exceptions if you have your own business. When you start to notice that thoughts about knitting stop leaving you, no matter where you are in the transport or on the walk, it is better to try to reduce the time for this hobby to reasonable limits. Don't forget that it is necessary to spend time with family and also important personal urgent matters, which cannot always be solved just by thinking about them.

Knitting is sometimes called yoga for the brain and there is a good reason. Not so long ago some researches confirmed that knitting does have some well-defined effects on thought activity, in particular, it has a beneficial effect on memory. Scientists do not cease to compare knitting with yoga because working with spokes and a hook, as well as counting loops and rhythmic movements in every way soothe and develop human abilities.

Some even believe that knitting can dull the pain-a result of the words of researchers in some organizations. For people in old age, knitting helps reduce the likelihood of cognitive disorders, including memory loss. Interestingly, scientists have also found that a decrease in heart rate during knitting equals approximately 11 beats per minute.

Health benefits

Research has shown that knitting can have a good impact on health in general and can also make it stronger. This is particularly true for diseases related to thought activities.

The human body is known to have a large number of different sensitive areas. During knitting, points that are on the hands influenced favourably by movements. Besides, constant contact with knitting materials such as high-quality yarn, etc., also has a good effect on the body through tactile sensations. Those who love the sensation of luxurious materials will most definitely find knitting very enjoyable. It is possible to experience an incredible aesthetic sensation during this process.

When a person has been traumatized and disabled, knitting can be a great way to partly improve and recover health during the rehabilitation process. Also, people who suffer from memory loss and concentration disorder can try knitting as a way of stimulating brain activity to develop their missing sense of concentration. The need for constant monitoring and counting during knitting will help older people to be mentally focused until they are very old.

It is certainly advisable, if possible, to choose knitting as one of the rehabilitation methods for patients with stroke and heart attacks. Motor skills are particularly involved in the knitting process and this has a positive effect on the recovery of patients. Besides, visual and motor memory will be improved. Imagination ability and coordination will also be noticeably improved.

Knitting as a way to control food consumption

Of course, knitting is not an activity in which you can burn a lot of fat, but a strong passion for the process can be useful for those who cannot control how much food they eat. It is also worth noting that people who have a habit of eating to avoid stress may also find knitting to be a way of avoiding the consumption of huge amounts of excess food. Food near the TV can easily be replaced by threads and needles. Evenings become not only more interesting but also useful.

Benefits of knitting

- Reducing feelings of fear, panic and anxiety in tense situation;

- Gives strength to deal with stress and irritation;

- Sometimes helps to relieve chronic pain;

- Can reduce muscle tension;

- It helps to reduce the feeling of loneliness and isolation in situations where there are no people to talk to;

- Can increase personal self-confidence and makes you feel important and useful by doing something for others.