Knitting Helps Calm the Mind and Reduce Anxiety, New Study Finds

It looks like you can knit your way to happiness…as the saying goes.

A new study out of Sweden finds knitting helps people with mental health issues by bringing them a sense of calm and giving their life structure.

Researchers analyzed 600 posts from an international art forum where members chat about their hobbies and life in general.

They found conversations about the power of knitting to help lower stress, prevent overthinking and reduce the need for anti-anxiety medications.

Overall, the results showed participants felt knitting improved their short- and long-term health.

Some even said it made their thinking become clearer and easier to manage.

The researchers say there are 3 big reasons why. They say knitting enables people to unwind.

It offers an identity to knitters.

And it provides structure to people’s lives.

The lead author says, “Knitters have a creative leisure interest that can also help them to cope with life and so improve their mental health.”