Knitters know their hobby makes them feel good. In fact, a 2013 survey revealed that 81 percent of knitters worldwide rated themselves as happier after knitting. But does knitting also have long-lasting health benefits? The answer may have you in stitches.
Occupational therapists at Columbia University analyzed how activities such as arts and crafts, music and reading relate to health. They argued that these activities offer a non-pharmaceutical way to regulate emotions, stimulate the mind, relieve symptoms of depression and reduce stress.
Studies also show that knitting and other leisure activities may have an impact on the brain. A 2011 study showed that doing crafts in middle age, in addition to watching less television, decreased the odds of memory loss later in life. Likewise, a 2012 study showed that seniors who knitted, read or played games were up to 50 percent less likely to have mild cognitive impairment than seniors who did not.
One explanation is that knitting and other leisure activities engage multiple lobes in the brain — areas that process visual information, interpret meaning and coordinate movement. Activating these regions stimulates neural connections and keep these regions working efficiently, while possibly combatting conditions like dementia.
The therapeutic impact that knitting has on mood is just now being researched. One study showed that 74 percent of women who were hospitalized for anorexia reported less preoccupation with their eating disorder after knitting for about an hour a day.
Researchers believe knitting releases dopamine — our natural antidepressant. Psychologists say knitting has effects similar to meditation.
With all these potential benefits, the next time you knit your brow, try knitting a scarf instead.