Crocheting has more mental health benefits than you’d think. The repetitive motions, unwavering focus, and determination to achieve the desired result can all have very positive implications for your mood and emotional well being.
The Basics of Yarn crafting
Yarn crafting has been known to have more than just a utilitarian purpose for a while now.
Crocheting and many other types of yarn crafting are recommended for people of all ages to benefit their mental well being. It helps people focus on one project while taking their mind away (at least for the duration of the activity) from thoughts and ideas that may push them towards anxiety and depression.
And in today’s day and age, when mental health issues are on the rise, having avenues to alleviate stress has become more important than ever. Crocheting and other forms of yarn crafting take the lead among these methods.
How Does Crocheting Affect Your Mental Health?
Crocheting involves the repetitive action of hooking the yarn and looping it to make a stitch, something that comes in handy for those who need a crutch for their anxiety or depression.
For people that pace, tap, rock, smoke, drink, or eat to calm themselves, replacing such an action with crocheting helps them alleviate their stress through a more functional, useful way.
· Safety Bubble
You’re crouched down, working on your project, safe from the world and its many whims. The simple act of just taking some time out and crocheting lets you stay in a personal bubble, where at least for the meantime, nothing can cause any anxiety or panic.
· Portability
Crochet therapy can be practiced anywhere, making it a great solution for those prone to anxiety and panic attacks. In fact, even visualizing the feeling and movement of crochet allows you to calm down. So having something at hand to distract you can be especially useful for sensitive people.
· Hormonal Effect
Repetitive actions release serotonin in the body —a “feel-good” chemical. This not only leads to a better mood and a sense of calmness, but it also reduces your levels of cortisol, a hormone released during times of stress.
Learning from Crochet!
With so many benefits, it’s almost essential that you at least try to pick up crocheting.
And with Your Crochet offering free patterns online, now you can!
With our easy crochet patterns and a handy-dandy crochet needle, you too can take advantage of yarn crafting and give your mental health some much-needed TLC!
It’s called a crochet HOOK not crochet needle.
As a licensed therapist who crochets, saying it is helpful for those who need a “crutch” for their anxiety and depression is unkind, rude, and incorrect. Otherwise, good article.
It does help crocheting when you have anxiety, panic attacks and mental illness, I know because, I have all those! And when I start to feel down, I go to find different crochet patterns. It the most calming effect when you are depressed, anxiety and panicky. Than you!
Crocheting also helps people work chronic illnesses that are debilitating. If they can still physically crochet, it can make them feel like they are useful when they can’t do anything else.
Love the article! I’ve been crocheting for 50+ years. Whenever I feel anxious, when my mind is in turmoil, need to make a decision, or just want to take a break from reality, I pick up my hook and start to crochet. To me, it’s a form of meditation at its finest. Whether I want to or not, an invisible bubble forms around me, I feel blanketed in peace, and every muscle relaxes. Crocheting also causes my “God given creative juices” to flow. My mental and physical health have immensely improved over the years and I’ve learned to avoid trauma and drama. What I love most is that crocheting is easy to learn and it’s free! I taught myself at age 17 and if I can do it, anyone can as well! ?
I have a severe traumatic brain injury and my crocheting really helps keep me focused and calm. If I start to feel a bit stressed or out of focus I reach for one of the many tote bags my husband and I have stashed around the house. I get one and continue on with whatever project is in the bag.
What a great idea of different projects in different rooms of the house! I do have a bag in my van so if I’m waiting I can crochet…. It has been the best therapy for me and I thank God for like minded people.
Im a crafter and seamstress from childhood. I always wanted to learn to crochet but I’m left handed so everyone around would say they couldn’t teach me. I’m apendextrious so I just wanted them to teach me right handed. Utube taught me last fall at age 56. I have bought yarn from other people’s stash and left overs that have been given to me! Due to many life shattering events, crocheting has helped me in sooo very many ways. I have anxiety attacks, depression, and too many on going things to make me crash. Crocheting gives me a craft that I can huddle in my rocker (or any where) and feel productive, plus creative!!!
The Best Article I’ve found on Pinterest!!!!!!!
Thank You!!!