7 Powerful Health Benefits Of Knitting A Chunky Knit Blanket
Numerous studies have shown that knitting can provide some incredibly powerful and long-lasting health benefits. At Pinot’s Palette, we’re going to help you knit your stress away while making a beautiful chunky knit blanket of your very own. That’s because we’re big proponents of do-it-yourself projects that benefit the mind and body and function as much needed stress relievers. And so, to help inspire you to join in the fun, here are 7 amazing health benefits of knitting your own chunky knit blanket:Natural Stress Reliever
The repetitive action of knitting can induce a relaxed state similar to what is experienced during meditation and yoga. That’s because repetitive movement helps increase serotonin levels in the body, which helps balance mood while enhancing relaxation. Serotonin, often referred to as the happy chemical because of its contribution to wellbeing and happiness, also helps regulate appetite, digestion, sleep, memory, and even sexual desire and function. What’s not to love?
Reduces Heart Rate, Blood Pressure, Blood Glucose, and Muscle Tension.
Knitting has been shown to dramatically lower heart rate and blood pressure and reduce harmful blood levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which increases heart rate, blood pressure, blood glucose, and muscle tension. By decreasing cortisol levels, you’re simultaneously improving your mood and promoting restful sleep, all without ever filling a prescription. Let’s toast to that!
Helps Your Fine Motor Skills
Knitting and crochet help with fine motor skills in addition to keeping your fingers and hands feeling good and limber as you age. Knitting has been shown to help arthritic fingers remain more dexterous as they age. The Arthritis Foundation even suggests approaching knitting as if it were a sport, by warming up the hands before getting started. Regular knitters who stick with it see the long-term benefits and less pain when it comes to arthritis.
Weight Control
It’s amazing but true (and proven) that craftwork like knitting can actually help control your weight! That’s because when your hands are actively engaged in the productive act of knitting, there’s less propensity for snacking and mindless eating out of boredom.
Knitting Keeps You Socially Active
We couldn’t talk about knitting without talking about socializing, which is what we’re all about here at Pinot’s Palette. Whether you take this hobby and continue at home with a few knitting friends, or you attend our regular knit and sip classes, knitting always provides a fantastic opportunity to connect with other people. And we all know the health benefits of a little social interaction.
Relieves Depression
Knitting has proven to be therapeutic on many levels, especially when it comes to reducing depression. That’s because knitting enables the mind to redirect and refocus, and also lowers heart rate by an average of 11 beats per minute which induces an enhanced state of calm, similar to yoga or meditation.
Enhanced Self-Esteem
Unlike meditation, craft activities produce tangible and often useful products that can greatly enhance self-esteem. There’s a deep sense of accomplishment that comes with creating something lasting with your very own hands. We’re happy to say, creative fulfillment is without a doubt one of the activities’ main benefits. So come on by, fill up your creative tank, and enjoy some great wine already!