Knitting or crocheting provides us with a lot of benefits, both physical and mental.
Why does knitting make you happier?
Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Germany, and Iceland are among the happiest countries in the world according to the World Happiness Report; and all of them are countries of knitters. Both women and men know the art of knitting, learning to create their own garments from a young age.
At Lanas Maite, we always guide you, advise you, and sell you the best materials so that you can be just as happy and create your own handmade garments. It's a hobby that has been scientifically proven to bring numerous health benefits:
The 10 advantages of knitting:
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Exercises memory. Knitting helps us relax, relieving tension and also stimulating brain activity. Using needles, a crochet hook, or our own hands keeps the mind active, helping to develop memory.
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Decreases stress levels. Stress seriously affects aspects such as health, productivity, self-esteem, relationships, etc. Doctors state that "getting carried away by an activity helps us to escape from everything around us." Knitting becomes the perfect hobby to disconnect from our routine, clear our minds by focusing on the task at hand, and reduce stress.
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Combating hyperactivity. Picking up needles, opening a new color of yarn, or thinking about which skeins you're going to use to knit helps people with hyperactivity. Some medical studies suggest that engaging in a craft activity helps to focus the mind on a single task and confront it.
In fact, one of the therapies used with children with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is knitting so that they learn to be more aware of their own movements and thus be able to control them.
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Increases our level of happiness. Jill Riley, Bestan Corkhill, and Clare Morris published the study "The benefits of knitting for personal and social well-being in adulthood: Results from an international survey" in the British Journal of Occupational Therapy.
More than 3500 knitting enthusiasts were surveyed, with results showing that over 80% feel happier while knitting. A surprising 50% state that they are extremely happy when knitting.
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Knitting boosts our self-esteem. Making sweaters, woolen hats, etc. helps to increase self-confidence. Starting to knit is a matter of practice; everyone started with something simple and gradually increased their skill level.
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Knitting as prevention against heart attacks. Many people escape their minds while picking up their needles and yarn. Others focus 100% on crochet and cotton to make their desired garment. This calms us down and lowers our heart rate, thus strengthening the heart and preventing heart attacks and heart disease.
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Creating your own garments helps the environment. The world of crochet and handmade clothing means we always want to wear unique and unrepeatable garments. By following the care instructions for our hand-knitted garments (we will write to you later about how to care for them), we will avoid consuming fast fashion. In this ECOPORTAL article, I list the main polluting factors of so-called Fast Fashion.
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Helps relieve hand pain. While holding the needles, the hands are in constant motion; picking up a stitch, dropping another, or making a chain stitch prevents the joints from stiffening or becoming rigid. A study from the University of Ottawa says that when we knit, we keep our joints warm and help reduce pain or inflammation. We all remember that elderly person who barely moves, who has arthritis and probably suffers from the annoying carpal tunnel, and yet moves their hands with complete normality while knitting or crocheting.
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Our hobby, knitting, helps us make friends. A book we recommend from Lanas Maite is The Friday Club: "Indeed, every Friday, a diverse group of women gather in a venue in Georgia who, through their common passion for knitting, have developed a strong friendship..." One of our values is that we are a family business, and after 3 generations, several groups of people meet to knit while giving free rein to their hopes, passions, and joys.
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Create your own fashion and define your style more. What a beautiful hat your daughter has. Where did you buy it? Or that jacket you're wearing is lovely. Which store is it from? At Lanas Maite, we call it "the WOW! effect," where people stare at you for that unique accessory or when they love that jacket so much they stop you to ask about it. Knitting your clothes, accessories, or knitting for the little ones at home helps you create a unique style where you reflect your taste for handmade items and move away from the clothes everyone else wears.
With these 10 reasons to pick up your needles or crochet hook, you no longer have excuses to continue with your hobby. Because more than knitting, it's a way to care for your body and mind. It will not only improve your health and prevent illnesses but also help you develop important aspects like self-esteem, imagination, social relationships, etc. In short, "Knitting Therapy" will make you happier and improve your health.