Knitting Staves off Dementia and Calms Anxiety

You may remember noticing the Finnish Olympic snowboarding coach calmly knitting on the sidelines while waiting for his athletes to compete; the unusual sight had everyone talking about the team’s obsession with the handicraft.  They were recently photographed working on a group blanket project for the Finnish president’s newborn son.  But knitting has also gained popularity as hobby for crafters of all ages that boasts some surprising health benefits.

Knitting not only calms the nerves of olympic athletes but brings teammates and friends together, strengthening their bond while helping to reduce anxiety.  New research has found that knitting may not only encourage relaxation but can also combat depression, provide a distraction from chronic pain and slow the onset of dementia.

A recent survey of 1,000 knitters in the United Kingdom who participate in the Knit for Peace project found that knitting offers many physical and mental health benefits.  Because knitting can be a social activity, it may also help older adults stay socially connected and prevent isolation and loneliness common among seniors.

According to a recent report in the UK edition of the Huffington Post, knitting lowers the heart rate, causing blood pressure to drop.  A 2012 study by the Mayo Clinic found that seniors who participated in activities like knitting, crafting, reading or playing games were up to 50 per cent less likely to have mild cognitive impairment.   Knitting may even help with weight loss or smoking cessation by giving participants something to keep their hands busy.  Working on a knitting project can also be a conversation starter for older adults in assisted living, helping them connect with other residents, staff or visitors. 

Doing something useful is important to maintain good mental health in older age and knitting is an activity many seniors can participated in, even when they are very elderly or frail. To learn more about the Knit for Peace initiative, how to start your own group and for knitting patterns, follow this link to the project website.