An active lifestyle and balanced diet aside, there are plenty of other factors that play into one’s well-being. While physical exercise aids in good physical health, knitting can benefit your loved one’s emotional and mental health, keeping their brains sharp, giving their minds a workout and ensuring that they are happy. Read on to find out more about the benefits of knitting for your loved one’s health!
Keeps the Brain Active
As we age, it is natural for our cognitive abilities to decline. Whether it is occasionally forgetting something or more serious health issues such as Alzheimer’s, if you or your loved one is concerned about cognitive impairment or would simply like to keep your mind sharp, knitting would be the perfect activity to pick up. Research has shown that engaging in activities such as knitting challenges your brain and thus decreases the risk of mild cognitive impairment by 30-50 percent. This is because knitting fires up many different areas of the brain at once, keeping your brain active and challenged.
Improves Hand-Eye Coordination
Beyond benefits for you or your loved one’s neural health, knitting is also good for your physical health too. Knitting can help your elderly loved one improve their hand-eye coordination and maintain their fine motor skills simply due to the nature of the activity. Your hands and brain are forced to work in concert, improving or maintaining strength and dexterity in your hands. This could be greatly beneficial for older adults who have weaker hands, helping them improve their grip and reduce daily accidents e.g dropping silverware or cups.
Provides a Meditative Experience
Knitting can provide a meditative experience for many, with reports showing that many individuals feel calm when they engage in the activity. Knitting forces us to focus on the same movements which are akin to the methods used in meditation. Further contributing to mental and emotional wellness, knitting also provides a sense of accomplishment. There is no better feeling than when you see a project coming to fruition or finally finish knitting an article of clothing.
A Good Habit to Cultivate
If you or your loved one is wanting to cut down on bad habits like watching too much television or smoking, knitting can help break you out of your usual habits. It is a good, healthy replacement for your bad habits and keeps you busy when you are craving some alone or quiet time. A perfect activity for introverts!
A Social Activity
If you or your loved one is feeling lonely, it is always a good idea to pick up a new hobby. Having hobbies allows you to connect with others with similar interests and build meaningful friendships. Knitting is an especially good activity as it is popular amongst older adults, increasing the pool and opportunity for these interactions.
At our retirement community, we provide a full calendar of activities and events, including art and crafts, games and more for you or your loved ones to enjoy the benefits of engaging in such social activities.
