How can you create a beautiful and fashionable accessory while at the same time lowering your stress level? With knitting, of course.

Research carried out by the Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine has found that knitting (and crocheting) have been shown to decrease heart rate and induce a relaxation response, much like the meditation response. The repetitive motion and the setting aside of thoughts as the motion is repeated is the key to the relaxation response.

Anyone who has knit for any period of time will tell you that they feel quite relaxed while doing so (unless of course they are laboriously “tink”ing or undoing their knitting). So get out your needles and yarn and prepare to feel relaxed and cozy with your new scarf!

Author: Dr. Emily Gonzalez, Naturopathic Physician