How Does Crochet Benefit Your Mind?

Taking care of your mental health is just as important as your physical health. But finding ways to do that, that fits in with our busy lifestyles can feel like we're just adding to our busy workloads. New habits and hobbies can also be expensive, which just adds to our mental load.

But did you know that crochet can massively benefit your mental wellbeing and your physical health? Not only that, but it's something you can do while sat in your favourite chair while relaxing in front of the TV. It's also a really cheap hobby to take up too.

Millions of crocheters can testify to how their crochet hobby has helped them through times of mental turmoil, been a light in their day in dark times and has brought them a sense of achievement when nothing seems to be going right. They'll also tell you how easy it is to find free patterns online and lots of tutorials on YouTube.

Crochet might have the reputation of being a hobby for grandmas, but that perception is seriously out of date now. During the pandemic, crochet saw a massive surge in uptake by all ages, and when you see the benefits to your mental health, it's easy to see why crochet became the hobby of choice in a world of chaos.

There are several aspects of crochet that is good for our minds. There's the look and feel of the yarn - the texture and eye pleasing colour combinations soothe our brains. The repetitive nature of the motions needed to crochet are soothing and provide a sense of calm.

The benefit to our wellbeing from crochet has sound scientific backing. I've personally found my crochet to be an incredible comfort in times of mental chaos, and it has been a major component to me keeping things on track when the wheels could quite easily have come off.

So how does it work?

Crochet can be wonderfully soothing when your mind or body becomes overloaded. This soothing feeling comes from the release of Serotonin, which is triggered by the act of crocheting. Your brain’s creative area in the frontal lobe loves the repetitive movement, and rewards these soothing, creative actions with a Serotonin release. Serotonin is a natural anti-depressant, which is why crochet is so comforting to us and acts as a sort of self-medication.

Another way that crochet can calm your mind, is due to the power of distraction. Crochet needs a bit of concentration. Not enough to make your brain hurt or make you feel like you are trying to solve a maths problem, but it needs your attention. This makes your brain stop focusing on whatever is causing you anxiety or giving you concern and switch to focusing on your crochet.

This works with physical pain as well. Many who suffer from chronic illnesses find crochet reduces pain levels as they are no longer focusing on the pain but on their crochet. This pain receiving effect is also aided by the Serotonin release. Not only is it a natural antidepressant, but it is a natural pain reliever too. This pain relief effect automatically has a positive effect on your mental wellbeing too. Removing that stress factor takes a weight off your mind, giving you a double relief effect.

If you're going through a particularly prolonged low period, then crochet can provide a lift, through the satisfaction and knowledge that you have created something with just a ball of string, a hook and your own two hands. Seeing what you are capable of making proves that your time can be productive, that you have achieved something and that you can bring beauty into the world. It amazes me every time when I complete something, that I am capable of creating things from a ball of string, and that sense of achievement can be quite addictive but also very useful for creating unique gifts for family and friends and of course for adding to your own wardrobe and accessories collection too. If you think of it that way, you can give yourself a whole new, unique wardrobe that perfectly suits your sense of style.

So how can you tap into the power of crochet to help your own mental wellbeing?

The wonderful thing about crochet us that it is low cost to get started, and learning materials are widely available for free. You can get started on your first crochet project for less than £5!!!

Everything you need to start crocheting is available at your local craft store, or you can find everything online. All you need to get started is a ball of chunky, light-coloured yarn. A crochet hook of the size that is recommended on the yarn label, and a couple of hair grips to use as stitch markers (you will be amazed at how useful these are). Then it's just a case of jumping onto YouTube and finding a crochet video that suits your learning style, and there are lots to choose from. I recommend starting with the ones with the most views, as the videos are often popular for good reason.

As when starting with anything new, it takes a bit of time to get into the swing of things. It takes practice to master the craft and to achieve the look you see in the pattern pictures. But if you stick with it you will be reaping the benefits that crochet can bring for your body and mind before you know it. You will never run out of projects to make - there are tens of thousands of patterns to choose from, and you will find new friends too in the online crochet communities that you will find on social media and internet forums. There are often local groups that you can join too, with the added benefit of making new friends in your local area.

Looking after your mental wellbeing often comes as an afterthought in this busy and chaotic world of ours but having a hobby like crochet, that you can pick up at anytime and anywhere offers an anchor and a source of pride and achievement that can lift us on our darkest of days