Improve Your Mental Health With Art Therapy
Written by: Amanda Parparian, Art Therapist
When I was in graduate school, a near constant companion of mine was my knitting. I found that the rhythm of the needles and the feel of the yarn helped me to focus. One of my professors called it cognitive anchoring, something to keep my hands busy, something that could become automatic, and allow my brain to better focus.
I have also found that knitting has a positive impact on my anxiety, it keeps me from unraveling.
Seeing these benefits of knitting myself, I’ve become interested in learning more about why knitting and other fiber arts (such as sewing, weaving, crocheting, embroidery, and quilting) are good for you and your wellbeing.
Fiber arts are tactile, they have a strong sense of touch, and often when creating with them the focus is on integration and coming together. They can explore powerful metaphors and stories. Fiber arts have been found to benefit self-esteem, provide social support, and self-efficacy.
Knit for Peace is an initiative of the Charities Advisory Trust in the United Kingdom, which did a literature review on the health benefits of knitting, and then surveyed 1,000 knitters. They found that the positive physical and mental health benefits of knitting included:
- lowering blood pressure,
- reducing depression and anxiety,
- slowing the onset of dementia,
- is a form of meditation,
- distracts from chronic pain,
- provides an opportunity for creativity,
- increases sense of wellbeing, reduces loneliness and isolation, and
- increases sense of usefulness and inclusion in society.
Dr. Cassandra Dominick did her dissertation on “Knitting as a Therapeutic Group Technique with 4th Grade Elementary School Students” and she stated “[knitting] can untangle our stressed minds as we unravel balls of yarn and turn them into wearable objects.” She also discussed how the process of knitting and motions required can help with focus and allow for holding attention longer.
The structure of knitting with the rhythmic and repetitive nature is similar to meditation. While sitting comfortably, physically holding the textile yarn, counting, repetitive motions with a cadence, the same alpha-wave patterns can be found as when meditating.
Not convinced? Why not try it yourself? If you need help getting started, I’d love to teach you knitting as a therapeutic tool for stress relief and mindfulness.