Exercise remains an important activity even after retirement to keep your mind active and body healthy. But exercise doesn’t necessarily mean going for a jog or working out at the gym. Knitting is a form of exercise for your mind, benefitting your personal and social wellbeing. Knitting does not only keep you occupied when you’re bored and reduces your stress, it also maintains your motor skills and prevents cognitive impairment. Keep on reading to find out what are the benefits of knitting for your wellbeing when you’re in your golden years.
It Keeps Your Brain Sharp and Active
Numerous studies have shown that knitting may help to lower the risk of moderate cognitive impairment, ranging from the occasional forgetfulness to more serious conditions such as dementia by up to 50 percent. Knitting serves as a great form of exercise in keeping your brain sharp and active as it requires you to use different parts of your brain at the same time.
It Enhances Your Hand-Eye Coordination
Another study found that knitting on a regular basis helps those with poor manual dexterity improve their hand-eye coordination as it forces the brain and hands to work together, helping them gain control over and maintain their fine motor skills. As such, if you have issues with your grip such as not having the strength to hold things, knitting can be a great help in maintaining the strength and dexterity in your hands.
It’s a Form of Mediation and Keeps You Calm
Many people have reported that they feel calmer when they knit and it is a form of mediation for them. This is likely due to knitting being an activity that requires you to focus on doing repetitive movements, which is quite similar to how mediation is being carried out. The more you knit, the more you feel a sense of accomplishment especially when you’re able to see the project you’ve been working hard on taking its shape or when you finally complete it. It’s an addictive activity that makes you want to do another project after you’ve completed one.
It’s Easy to Pick Up and Learn
With more time on hand after retiring, you may tend to feel bored or lonely more easily. Knitting is perfect to keep yourself occupied, especially on days when you just don’t feel like socializing and just want to unwind and have the entire day to yourself. Moreover, one of the biggest benefits of knitting is that it reduces stress and helps you relax. While there are many other ways and activities that you can do to reduce stress, knitting is an activity that’s affordable and does not require any complicated materials. You’ll be able to find most of the materials needed for knitting at craft or hobby stores easily.
It’s a Great Way to Socialize with Others
On the other hand, knitting is a great way to socialize with others who are also enjoying their golden days. Despite it being a great activity to do on your own at your own pace, it’s also really fun and engaging to do it with others. Here at Discovery Village At The Forum, our residents enjoy coming together to knit together while catching up on what they did during the day.
