There’s no better moment to talk about mental health than during COVID-19. In times like these filled with stress and anxiety, it’s valuable to discover healthy ways to cope. That’s why we’re here to reveal the mental health benefits of knitting.
Knitting Improves Mental Health
There are many benefits to yoga and meditation, but pausing your thoughts and attempting to meditate isn’t as easy as it sounds. What many don’t realize is that knitters are getting the same benefits one stitch at a time. When your mind is racing and it’s hard to sit still, reaching for some yarn and a pair of needles could be the answer.
Once you overcome the learning curve, knitting becomes almost natural through continuous, rhythmic movements. Research shows that these rhythmic, or repetitive, movements involved in needlework can place you in a state of calmness and relaxation – just like with meditation. Using both of your hands to continuously work also uses more of your brain capacity. This leaves less room for other thoughts and worries.
At Sheep Thrills, we’ve always believed knitting could bring us joy in more ways than one. In fact, knitting movements also promote the release of serotonin, the neurotransmitter responsible for creating feelings of well-being and happiness.
Knitting Lowers Your Blood Pressure
In addition to relaxing your mind, you also end up relaxing your body through the motions of knitting. A Huffington Post article referencing the Harvard Medical School’s Mind and Body Institute reveals that there is research to prove that knitting helps lower your blood pressure. Being in a relaxed state as a result of repetitive knitting movements lowers your heart rate by 11 beats per minute, on average.
A decrease in heart rate, blood pressure, and muscle tension are all a result of the “relaxation response” that comes from knitting or crocheting. This response can also help lower the levels of stress hormones in your body.
As knitting fanatics, we can become so involved in our project that everything around us seems to fade away. It’s thrilling to discover the physiological and psychological links that explain the bliss we find when we pick up our needles and get to work.
Knitting Promotes Social Connection
Gathering with local or virtual knitting groups is a huge step towards improving your social well-being. Whether it’s online or eventually in person, there is a whole knitting community ready to welcome you with open arms, or open laptops. Sheep Thrills is proud to have an amazing local community of fellow knitters. Although we can’t host Social Knitting, we are still offering Guided Knitting classes at our store in Lauderhill, FL. These classes are limited in space to adhere to all local and state guidelines.
Sheep Thrills Knitting in Lauderhill, FL
If you’re ready to reap the benefits of knitting, look no further. Whether you’re looking to order your next pandemic project online or wanting to meet other knitters at your local South Florida yarn shop, Sheep Thrills is the place where knitters unwind. Visit our website to shop online and find more information about our store hours. | 
