The study analysed previous research which looked at the benefits of knitting and similar activities on mental health.
Included in this research was a 2007 study from Harvard Medical School’s Mind and Body Institute, which found knitting could lower a person's heart rate by an average of 11 beats per minute and induce an "enhanced state of calm."
Echoing this, an online survey of almost 4,000 knitters by Betsan Corkhill, a knitting therapist, found more than half felt "very happy" after knitting.
Additionally, A 2011 study, involving 1,321 participants aged 70 to 89, found those who engaged in crafts like knitting and crocheting had a diminished chance of developing mild cognitive impairment and memory loss.
The good news is, these benefits don't just apply to knitting: cooking, drawing and even doing crossword puzzles can all have the same positive side effects.
RELATED: Link between crosswords and brain function, study
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