Knitting is a hobby that can be taken up at any point during the year - it's creative, engaging, and most importantly, fun! But did you know that there are a number of surprising health benefits attached to your yarn crafting pastime?

Whether you're knitting in the heights of summer or the depths of winter, Ajanta Studios explore how knitting will benefit your health throughout the year!

#1. Knitting Combats Dementia

Knitting is scientifically proven to slow onset dementia. The motor activity in your hands significantly heightens brain activity, helping to slow cognitive impairment and decrease the chances of memory loss later on in age.

According to the Alzheimer's Society, knitting also helps combat dementia from a social standpoint, helping sufferers come to terms with their diagnosis and 'providing a way for people with dementia to remain involved in the community' through purposeful craft, learning a new skill and socialising with others with a similar passion.

#2. Keeps You Calm & Relaxed

Knitting is an inherently relaxing hobby - you're sat in your favourite armchair with a super soft ball of 4 ply yarn in your hands - but that's not all that's keeping you calm. Knitting activates the parasympathetic nervous system which gently suppresses the fight or flight response in your brain.

#3. Burns calories

You might not get fit, but an hour of furious needle work can burn off almost 102 calories, which is more than reading a book or newspaper.

#4. Protects Against Arthritis 

The body and mind requires constantly stimulation to keep it healthy and using your joints for very intricate and precise movements can actually improve dexterity and strength in your fingers, warding off joint disorders and chronic pain.

If you're already a sufferer, the Arthritis Foundation offer plenty of handy tips and tricks to keep you stitching like a pro!

#5. It Makes You Happy

It is thought that creative activities attribute to a boost in mood and overall happiness, and there's science to show that knitting, crocheting and even jam-making improve mental health according to a study by the Journal of Positive Psychology.


Post By Ed Mason