RECENT RESEARCH ON KNITTING & MENTAL HEALTH

[@ЛюбовГалімова]

Thank you very much, it is very actually especially during the quarantine 😃. Now I understand why people are suffering at that time, and I am happy, because I have time to knit, to stich, to sew, quilt !

[@emilymorales5887]

Wow! What a jewel of a find on KZbin! Thank you for your excellent scholarship!

[@courag1]

Thanks for the information and especially the mental benefits of knitting. This Christmas I made my adult kids knitted afghans I'd designed myself. I am still working on one as my husband had cancer surgery and he needed me at all hours of the day. Holding his hand and his well-being took precident over knitting. So my sometime later this February, I should be able to ship my youngest son his gift from mom. I do graphic arts for a living but also design things in knitting and crochet. I've come to doing my patterns using my iPad for keeping track of where I am in a chart, then listening to what I enjoy to be learning about and knit away. I try to always be practicing a different knitting style and when it gets easy or my fingers are getting tired of one method, I switch to doing something else. My dad died of Alzheimer's Disease. My brother committed suicide just before my dad retired. And that was about the time Dad's AD began. He was severely depressed over the loss of my brother and it put him in a tail spin. Dad did make some things and while he was doing that, he was sharper. Mom and Dad moved up near us so we could help take care of them. I don't know if my avid knitting will avert the AD in me, but I plan on fighting it as much as I am able. I also play the flute and piano and sing along with continuing to do graphic design. All of this keeps depression at bay as I still can get blue when I think about the loss of so many in my family. I am the only one left of my nuclear family but I have loads to live for: my husband, 3 sons and and grandson and two daughters-in-law. I have lots of making to do all the time. And my family is enthusiastic about what I make so it is good.

[@beequilted55]

Thank you for this episode. I have bipolar 2 with depression. When I was in the depths of my depression I returned to knitting as it was soothing and didn't require me to "think" too much. It's nice to know I did instinctively something to help bring me back to wellness.

[@EweUniversity]

Hi Becky -- I think it's awesome that you naturally gravitated toward an activity that has proven benefits. Thanks so much for watching and for your comment. ♥

[@marytherese9925]

I'm so happy your going to give weaving a try! I was a weaver for years and I literally felt connected to my ancestors! when I got cancer (I'm ok now), but because of all the steroids I was on it weakens the muscles in my shoulders &neck . so i had give weaving up. But it was the best time in my life. Now at 74 I'm learning to knit. My connection with my ancestors is back. Weaving, spinning, and knitting have kept me afloat. I never felt depressed for my self. I refused to entertain the notion of dying. fiber arts and my children saw me through. And for my 74th birthday I received 'Choia goo" needles. and I was researching DROPS kneedles with your help. Thank you, thank you! Have a wonderful vacation. Theresa

[@EweUniversity]

Hi Mary Therese -- so nice to hear from you. Yes, I'm dabbling in weaving and hope to be able to finish a small project (placemat?) while I'm on vacation. :) Happy to hear that you are ok and picking up new fiber artistry! I hope you are enjoying your ChiaoGoo needles. XO

[@millsgirl2]

I am so grateful for this beautifully presented video! I'm sharing with many. Thank you so much. I began knitting in earnest after my mother died and instinctively felt relief from grief. What a wonderful way to help ourselves recover and maintain good mental health.

[@EweUniversity]

I think that's a wonderful story. Thank you so much for watching. 💜

[@hollyanthony76]

Hello again, I loved this week's podcast! What a great topic. As a young mother I read all of the Little House books to my children. So many times I would think about the skill and time that went into keeping your family in socks for the winter. The ease of picking up a 6 pack of socks at a big box store is certainly more efficient but never feels quite as good as finishing a pair of hand knit socks. I am watching the Anne of Green Gables story called Anne with an E on Netflix and Merrilla makes Anne a "sensible" dress with extra pleats to allow room for growth. My favorite book is written by Laura Ingalls Wilder and inspired by her husband Almanzo's childhood on a farm in New York state. He describes his father's sheep as the best sheep in the state. The book takes us through shearing the sheep to his mother dying and spinning the fiber. She was always thinking ahead, spinning, weaving and creating clothes for her family. Your episode really brought home the fact that she was a proud hardworking mom who took pride in her work and never had idle hands. Thank you for adding some scientific insight into this area of hand crafting. Whenever I knit socks I will think of the happy rodents hunting for their fruit loops! Have a lovely break and thanks again! Holly

[@EweUniversity]

Hi Holly! I love your comment. Thank you for watching and for your kind support. 💚

[@reginapotts4341]

I enjoy your videos so much! Your style of researching issues and then presenting them so intelligently and professionally is exactly my kind of platform. I just have to say that doing practical and creative "work" with my hands has been a true blessing in my life. I can get in some sort of zen-state where time just flies and I have relaxed hyper-focus when I am knitting, weaving, quilting, spinning, etc. I definitely feel the connection between coordinated dextrous hand use in crafting and positive state of mind. Thank you for such a valuable and entertaining video series.

[@lurlinepusey448]

Your touches every head on the nail so very truth very true thank you

[@faithfultita1585]

Thank you for a very informative segment! You've encouraged me to return to my knitting, crocheting, sewing, and needle work. Many thanks!!!!!!💐🕊☦️🎄

[@yarnmotivated-joyceswensso9744]

Love that you included the research on using your hands and mind and it's benefits. Still it's just proving what common sense suggests!

[@RetnoIkaS]

5 years later, and this video still very useful and mind-blowing for me. Thank you so much!

[@susanwood1195]

Thank you for a very informative podcast. I have severe fibromyalgia and arthritis and have always used my knitting, crochet, tapestry work as a way to feel better. When you can't move or work I find that crafting raises my spirits as I feel worthwhile and are still making a contribution. I have noticed when talking to others with the same diseases that those of us who did a physical craft like knitting which doesn't cause much pain have less depression,greater self-worth, lower pain levels, greater physical capabilities and will reduce meds/adjust our med programmes to suit our disease. It was interesting to hear about the studies in this area. Thank you.

[@EweUniversity]

Hi Susan! Glad you enjoyed this video. Yes, crafting can be somewhat of a miracle worker. I'm happy to hear it has helped you personally. ♥

[@suewaverley528]

Thanks so much for this episode. I've made some notes on this which I've put in my diary to read at regular intervals. I've never done this for a blog before, which shows how much I appreciate the value of what you brought us. I find knitting and sewing very soothing, but had never really understood why until now. I know this is an old episode but I've subscribed, and look forward to seeing your new episodes as they come out. I love your professional yet very accessible way of talking.

[@EweUniversity]

Hello, and thank you so much. I appreciate your watching my videos. XO

[@heatheredwards2982]

I definitely feel better when I am involved in something productive and fulfilling 😌cooking, cleaning, gardening, etc

[@robertasmith25]

Thank you so much for doing this video. All of your videos are very informative. I am so glad I found you. I've been knitting and crochetinf a long time and found the repetitiveness so soothing. Enjoy your break. Looking forward to your next video.

[@EweUniversity]

Thanks Roberta -- I'm enjoying a little down time in Minnesota now. 🌞

[@auntpurl5325]

Absolutely love your series. Looking forward to seeing you again in July. Thank you for sharing with all of us.

[@EweUniversity]

Thanks, Denelle -- I appreciate your kindness and support.

[@cayenned.8608]

This was an especially great episode. Thank you for sharing all that fascinating information. I know that my day always goes better if I can fit in a little knitting. I especially enjoyed learning how the parts of the brain are connected and that using our hands and moving our bodies is so important for our well-being. Have a lovely break and thank you for this podcast!

[@EweUniversity]

Hi Cayenne -- thanks so much for your comment. Isn't it great to know how beneficial knitting is all around?! :) I am at the lake right now (as you know from my Instagram feed) and will be planning some exciting new videos! XO

[@yarnjunkie]

Dr Kelly, I truly loved this episode, I always learn so much during your chats, thank you dearly for your contribution. I will miss you but I hope you have a lovely few weeks off and enjoy your weaving!

[@EweUniversity]

Awww thanks Amber. I'm enjoying a little break in Minnesota now. 😄

[@karensorrentino9498]

Great commentary/research sharing on mental health and knitting. I absolutely love the process of the knitting following a pattern and then enjoying the finished product, it lifts my spirit. There are times though, when the FO does not meet my expectation such that I get glum, disappointed and think about how much money I spent on the yarn -these are the projects I end up frogging.

[@EweUniversity]

Hi Karen -- yes, we probably all have those feelings. But to me, the beauty of knitting is that even if you frog a project, you can always use the yarn for another project and can still make something lovely. :) Thank you for watching and for your comment. ♥

[@CindyBennett13]

Watching December 2020 ! Knitting has so many benefits !

[@christineferoli1750]

Love your classes on u tube. Always so well done, interesting and uplifting! Thanks so much!

[@EweUniversity]

Thanks so much, Christine -- I appreciate your kind comment. XO

[@gailferrara1185]

I find that making items with yarn makes the world more beautiful and makes me feel happy 😊

[@claireholmes7752]

Thank you for this fascinating episode. Instructions on using the i-cord maker were very clear. I've never heard of this device but I think I will get one! I was particularly fascinated by your summary of the benefits of creative arts and crafts in tackling depression. This was not new to me but very well explained - it gave me a lot of food for thought. I really enjoy your scientific and investigative broadcasts. The 'what, how and why' approach to knitting and fibre is quite gripping! Thank you.

[@EweUniversity]

Hi Claire -- thanks for your nice comment. I'm glad you are enjoying my videos, and thank you for watching. ♥

[@youcanknowanything8489]

yes, i would agree that being "maker" has been highly fulfilling and definitely boosts enjoyment

[@maswannie]

Another really interesting video, thanks, Kristine. Right now I am doing a MOOC on 'Preventing Dementia' and we were asked to fill in a questionnaire for research being done by the University of Tasmania. One of the questions was whether we were used to writing or interpreting complex knitting patterns. So, apart from having a beneficial effect on depression, knitting and other handcrafts could help prevent dementia! Have a great break and I'm already looking forward to your July episode.

[@EweUniversity]

Hi Margaret -- yes, I am familiar with that research on dementia, too. I might talk about it in a future episode if people are interested. Let's face it, knitting is just good all around! :) Thank you for watching and for your support! XO

[@ShellyMay28]

Loved it. Been knitting to help my hands and wrists loosen up, as I have CRPS. Glade to hear that it will help with depression anxiety.

[@EweUniversity]

Hi Michelle -- that's great! I'm looking for some studies on how knitting can be used for physical therapy, too. Maybe I will do a future video on that. Thanks for watching. ♥

[@writetyper1]

Terrific episode! So informative. Can't wait to tell my knitting cronies about this one!! Thank you so much.

[@EweUniversity]

Aw thanks, I appreciate your watching and taking the time to comment. 🌞

[@jentextiles]

This explanation so much sense to me now as I am a maker and realised it relaxed me - but what I now get is how my near blind husband records an edits (for his own reference) thousands of snippets of TV programme info on DVD,s which he shuffles around the house.It has driven me to distraction I guess it uses his hands he gets a buzz from his collections. Thank you for making me more tolerant.

[@EweUniversity]

Hi Jennifer -- your comment made me smile. Glad you enjoyed the video, and thanks for watching. XO

[@sunshinesue4131]

I sure hope the shocked dog was okay after that, oh, I’m such a softie! Learned Helplessness is a topic I studied in business when focusing on Change Management. Change management is about planning how to present changes in a business where employees will be affected. Employees an get locked in routines, so when something changes, there are often negative reactions to it. It is critical to learn about human behavior and understand that the change reactions are more often emotional than logical. Left brain/right brain. The book we studied was “Switch” by the Heath brothers, and it applies to any kind of change, so not just business, but personal and social changes you would like to make too. I wonder if being creative in knitting, crocheting, paper crafting, etc.build endorphins like exercise? You get a similar high when you complete a 5k as when you complete a project you made.

[@courag1]

I thought I'd touch base with you again on the concept of avoiding depression with knitting. There are other things I've found with knitting helps which I think are therapeutic and restorative when used in conjunction to diet. I had developed arthritis and my hands were pretty bad off. My husband saw that even opening a round doorknob caused me pain. He replaced the round knobs with lever-style, which was definitely easier for me to grip. But the pain persisted. I also had arthritis in my back from an old injury. It would put me in wheelchair about 3 to 4 times per years. This was depressing. I decided to try an elimination diet even though I had myself tested for allergies. Sometimes secondary allergies to not show up on allergy tests. Or they just don't test for my issue: which was dairy. I had issues with dairy as a child, it made me throw up, gave me severe constipation where I lived growing up on enemas. My mother did not cook fresh vegetables, the only fruit she ever bought was rare. By 18 I had enough of this and as I was in college became aware of the benefits of fiber, so I began eating high fiber. No more constipation. But the milk issue fell to the background, until the arthritis became disabling. I decided that there were a host of plant-based milks and changing to them and avoiding all dairy could not hurt me so within a month, my hands were mostly pain-free. Prior to this I had been having Dannon yogurt for lunches as it was easy. The problem I've discovered was casein which is a major inflammatory agent in the body and as we age it has with constant exposure, breached the gut barrier and whole undigested proteins leach into our bodies. It was worse with me as due to the enemas which was my mother's recreation when I grew up, I did not have a healthy gut at all. But I have read that it was not just me which found going off dairy had similar benefits with reducing arthritis pain, casein is just not something we can digest as we do not have the renin in our stomachs which cows have. It is not necessarily anything to do with the sugar in milk, the protein has many problems and has been fingered as a causation of both breast and prostate cancer. I was for years trying to get my husband off of dairy but he's rather seen me as a quack about healthy food and would not even taste my almond milk. After his prostate cancer, he would listen to me, had he done the plant-based milk when I switched 10 years ago, he may have avoided this horrific surgery. Dairy has caseo-morphine connections in the brain which makes getting off of casein a problem especially if one is a cheese-addict. With substitutions it is possible to get off of dairy but I went cold turkey and it wasn't such an issue, I was highly motivated. My hands needed further rehabilitation and as due to pain I had given up both crochet and knitting, now with less pain, I went back to knitting and began exploring different knitting styles for the sake of rehabilitation of my hands. I was an English Flicker so I learned Continental, did Entrelac, learned knitting backwards, did Portuguese style and that I could not knit backwards and Lever knitting still caused me pain. In my health journey, I have become plant-based, did this after the prostate cancer my husband had. About a year before his surgery, I had to have gallbladder surgery as it had become instantly painful and as I never had a pain from it, had I not gone to the doctor when I had, it was at the point of exploding like happens in appendicitis. Who knew. Had I been plant-based which is ultra low fat also, I likely never would have had the gallbladder issues. What I've learned in the meanwhile about staying engaged for hours at a time using my hands also improves not just parts of the brain, it benefits the entire brain in that the surface of the brain next to the skull is devoted to what we do with our hands and if we are doing this for hours at a time, the blood coming in to the brain circulates from the middle to the outside, so knitting or crocheting for hours at a time improved overall circulation in the brain maintaining the brain and bringing in both oxygen and nutrients. When I began knitting again, I was having issues with adding and subtracting which I was normally able to do without a calculator, but then I was having to use one. Now, I can do most everything in my head and I do check myself with a calculator. I am not doing square root in my head of course. My overall recall of everything is better. I do have ringing in the ears and this has not gone away but I am feeling much better. I am not resigned that I have to get breast cancer like my mother and sister died from or Alzheimer's as my dad died of this. I've gone from having Pre-Diabetes to my A1C blood sugar being 5.1, my blood pressure is 110/66. Part is diet, part is that I can be more active now that I am no longer ever in a wheelchair, I can walk now and I walk fast. I did have a broken ankle and it refused to heal. They gave me loads of calcium pills which did nothing to heel it. Then because of going plant-based, I discovered the benefits of kale. Kale has loads of calcium and it is in a highly absorbable form. We are not meant to find our nutrients in pills. I've read that this is also not just my experience. But the brain also needs the nutrition we are not getting which is found in plants. I do a lot more cooking and am eating a wide variety of vegetable and fruits I never tried. I am not eating most raw, though I do eat more than I did. What we do must combine with the other things our society has us doing wrong in order to be well and not destined to live in a nursing home in diapers not knowing who we are. I've seen this and don't want it for me. Depression is what I had been living with for years due to a great extent, the devastating illnesses in my family. I no longer am depressed but have hope for the future. My bones, once already brittle even before I hit 65, now are strong. We may not be able to stop that we some day die, but we can have health until that time, both mental and physical. And we can experience happiness till that time. Thank you for your video.

[@TENDRILLES]

This video was brilliant. I wont feel so bad now while I crochet

[@ampm3098]

Excellent presentation. I will be mentioning it on my health blog in a future article and with my patients!

[@EweUniversity]

Thanks so much Anna! 🌞

[@soniaguzman762]

As always, this has been a very interesting and informative episode! I really enjoyed it! I watched it twice!

[@EweUniversity]

Thanks so much Sonia. 💙💙💙

[@CarolLiege]

Many years ago -- 1968? -- I became depressed while on leave from the state Department of Mental Health. I mentioned it to the Assistant Commissioner of Community Services, and he said research showed anything requiring HAND-EYE COORDINATION would reduce depression. He prescribed some paint-by-number work, so this knowledge preceded Lambert!

[@EweUniversity]

Hi Carol -- yes, but it's not necessarily the hand-eye coordination that matters. What Lambert's research is showing is that the important thing is "producing" something. For example, playing video games require hand-eye coordination, but these benefits are not seen with playing video games. But it's great to hear that you took up crafting because that definitely works. :)

[@CarolLiege]

From a small midwest Lutheran town that believed "Idle hands are Devils work," where women crocheted and men whittled at baseball games, I learned lots of crafts starting as a toddler! What you say about Lambert suggests she interprets results as flowing from a sense of accomplishment, pride, etc. -- and I think it may then be worth wondering about the impact of all those unfinished projects most of us knitters have! :-)

[@CarolLiege]

Here's another take: it provides a feeling of control.kzbin.info/www/bejne/sKiUmWRjltl1mM0

[@EweUniversity]

Yes, a sense of control is also part of "hardiness," or resilience in the face of stress.

[@margaretsebert9325]

Thank you for the lecture. You have shed some light.

[@EweUniversity]

Thanks, Margaret. 💜

[@SuziQZ]

What a wonderful video. So very true 100% i'm here to say! Thank you for taking the time to talk about all of this. Knitting, yarn, fiber crafts have all helped my anxiety and i've had such severe anxiety disorders that were almost impossible to deal with. My husband and our sons tried their best to help but it's so hard for people to understand just how you really fell with these issues. Thankfully i have been going good. Now... if i can just get all this weight off i've gained over the past years😕

[@EweUniversity]

Hello -- that is such great news. I'm glad to hear you are doing well now. XO

[@auntpurl5325]

As we are made in the image of the Creator, it makes perfect sense that we yearn to make and create good and beautiful things. our minds will never adapt to sustainable satisfaction or joy in just clicking on the buy button. You see it most clearly in kids.

[@EweUniversity]

Beautifully said. :) Thanks for watching. XO

[@emilymorales5887]

Absolutely. Our Creator loves to create as the heavens and earth testify to His handiwork. It’s interesting how God made certain His beloved Son was born in the home of a craftsman - as though God knew Jesus would have the need to fashion, form, and create during His tenure in flesh and blood.

[@kathyirwin8716]

Hey my sweet friend! Loved this podcast. The part about Embellish Knits brought back memories of spool knitting when I was a kid. Who knew I was making i cords!! I also enjoyed the section about crafting and mental health - well, apart from the dog being shocked! I'm actually reading a book called Knit for Health & Wellness by Betsan Corkhill. It's really good and reinforces some of the things you talked about. Enjoy your vacation and get inspired and rested - July seems like forever before another podcast. xoxo

[@EweUniversity]

Hi my lovely! I'm glad you made it past the dog study and hope that Gracie was not too traumatized. You might have to re-watch one of the sheep episodes to distract her (and you). :) I know, we used to use those little spool knitters, too. And I have seen Betsan's web site -- a long time ago. I know she published at least one study but I have not been able to get ahold of it because it is in a kind of obscure journal that my university library doesn't carry. I should try to get it on interlibrary loan, though. Hope you enjoy the book! I'm looking at the lake right now and will be planning some exciting new videos! XO

[@kathytincler2446]

Another excellent episode but what one isn't?! Thank you so much for taking your time to do these such well researched vids for us. I get excited when I see that you've posted another one but I save it for me time....when everyone is off to bed & the house is all quiet. :)

[@kathytincler2446]

PS....I knit & bead & talk about hard work...I'm struggling to learn crochet!! haha

[@EweUniversity]

Thanks Kathy. I'm glad you are enjoying Ewe University -- thank you so much for watching! 💜

[@Marysharp6366]

it was interesting to watch you demonstrate the I-cord maker. when I was small I used a cotton reel with 4 nails to make an I-cord. was this the idea where the I-cord machine came from.

[@Sewnknit]

I have never felt bad while knitting, crocheting or sewing. Why should I/we? It's our hobby, passion, etc. Enjoy!

[@HubbardAmy]

Thanks so much for exploring this topic of making and mental health - it all made perfect sense to me. It makes me want to give my teens more things to do so they get off their devices : )

[@EweUniversity]

Hi Amy -- yes, quick, give them some knitting! :)

[@gailrod2096]

Just found your channel today, so glad I did! Looking forward to more segments; this one with knitting and depression was very interesting :)

[@EweUniversity]

Hi Gail -- thanks so much for your kind comment! ♥

[@dmercier6437]

I really enjoyed this episode! A couple of years ago my husband lost his job and started a wood turning business. It was very therapeutic for him and we've made a little money while he created stash spinners and wooden yarn bowls. This episode reinforced what we suspected. Creating while working through negative events in your life is good for you! You can check out his work in The Facebook site Tay River Creations. Thanks for your interesting podcasts!

[@EweUniversity]

Hello -- thanks for sharing that story. I love it! Yes, creating something by hand really is magical. :) Thank you for watching. ♥

[@dianeb8067]

I truly enjoyed this video and your explanation on how knitting and other fibre arts help with depression, really interesting.

[@EweUniversity]

Hi Diane -- thank you for watching. I'm glad you enjoyed it. ♥

[@eileentomaro768]

great show again! My grandson (10) is coming over Saturday to learn to knit for this very reason.. Ok ,well, also to get away from his younger brother who he finds stressful I think I will have my son (his dad) watch your video. Thanks again from a hard working retired hairdresser who loves ALL craft especially yarnie ones. Keep up the good show and have a great get away. PS. I always pack my knitting project before my clothes.LOL

[@EweUniversity]

Hi Eileen! So happy to hear that you are passing on the crafty tradition to your grandson, and hope he takes off with it! 😄

[@norwegianmaid1186]

Kristine, loved your video. It seems that most things I like to do aren't necessarily good for me (ie. eating sweets). Now I can knit and feel like I 'm doing something beneficial and fun at the same time.

[@EweUniversity]

Hi Elyse -- yes, you are so right. :) Thanks for watching.

[@memestricotpop]

this was so good and instructive. Thank you Kris!

[@EweUniversity]

Hi Celine and thanks so much! 💜💜💜

[@dawnoverholt6877]

After watching your podcast I told my husband that he is making our cat a trust fund cat since he just feeds the treats to him and in the afternoon I make him work for them by putting them in a toy he has to work at to get them. This theory doesn't work for him because no matter what we do he just lays around and sleeps during the day. Anytime I try approaching a friend about learning to knit their response is that they aren't patient enough to learn. I told them that knitting teaches you to be patient. I would be impatient if I had to wait for an appointment or travel any distance without my knitting. thank you for an informative podcast

[@EweUniversity]

Hi Dawn! Oh that is too funny about your cat. 😂😂😂 Yes I agree about knitting to pass the time while waiting in line, etc. Thanks so much for watching. 💜

[@susannawarner6817]

Thank you for the timely information. I am on an anti-depressant and having this information about 'Making' and feeling better great to know. Thank you so much. I will be sharing this video.

[@EweUniversity]

Hi Susanna -- so glad this information is helpful to you. Sending hugs! XO

[@melatina66]

Embellish Knit I-cord maker didn't bring a needle or yarn! It doesn't even mention it in the instructions. OMG! I have had this for months but I never was able to get it to work! I made an i cord with now after watching your video! Thank you!

[@EweUniversity]

Oh I'm so glad you figured out what went wrong! 💚💚💚💚

[@nancyleemills247]

Kristine Kelly

[@SehrynBelle]

Thank you. I have both an education degree as well as a honours degree in psychology. I am always advocating for the importance of creative crafts to be on the curriculum

[@EweUniversity]

Hello, and I agree completely. :)

[@HFreeman66]

This all rang so true to me. I have three "trust fund rats" of my own. They can barely tie their shoes, give directions, or do daily errands. They are all grown, too. They cannot give directions anywhere because they never look at the car windows while traveling. They are staring at a device in their hands. This culture now seems to have the "snowflake" problem. All kids, all people are winners! You lost, but here is a trophy for you. Also, the learned helplessness was fascinating. I have had severe depression all of my life, I suppose. I learned early not to cry, not to speak, not to look at someone, etc. In photos of me as a child, I am never smiling and look very serious. I am the same now. Also, the part about not being able to exercise creativity leading to depression was so right on. My eldest son is an artist. He has the BFA, he is idealistic and very stubborn. He took a job with an art gallery in their division that has auctions on cruise ships. He became very depressed early on and complained that he couldn't "DO" his art on the ship. He began writing, and that helped, but finally, he had to leave that job His condition worried even the ship doctor. The moment he could get home and get his hands on his easel, paints, etc., his depression vanished.

[@annaknitter]

Wow, that was a great episode. I am very much interesetd in psychology especially when it comes to alternatives to medicine for a positiv impact. I am definitly a "maker" and think that is the reason why I was able to get through very, very hard times. I encourage all my friends who only work with computers to do something with their hands. It is not that easy to convince them because we all became lazy due to our new technologic lifestyle as you explained very well in your video.

[@EweUniversity]

Hi Anna -- yes, I agree with you. There is something unique about making things with your hands (as opposed to doing something like playing video games -- you don't get the same benefits). Good for you for using crafting to help you through life's challenges. XO

[@aggiemakes]

Thank you so much for sharing love your podcasts!

[@EweUniversity]

Thanks Aggie! 💖

[@muhlenstedt]

Thank you for such an informative video.I got another kind of i-cord device, it is a kind of wood tube with for metal hacks in one extremity.Sorry , I can not describe it well in english, in german it is called Stricklise and it is painted like a doll.I love it for its simplicity to work with.I just agree with the fact that working with our hands feels positive.I knit and crochet... at the beginnig it was great but I was so greedy and got too much yarn and too many patterns.Now all these projects are producing stress!It became overhelming and my spare room is very cluttered.All remedies should be taking reasonably!

[@EweUniversity]

Yes I have seen those little wooden ones. They used to be sold here in the US too, maybe still do. Yarn shouldn't be stressful -- maybe you can de stash some and be more comfortable. Best wishes, and thanks for watching! 💖

[@nalanbilgic2633]

Hello from Antalya, Turkey. Knitting is the best and cheapest theraphy

[@mangomum99]

Awesome I always had an idea it would help but has a study been done on the people who watch the knitter or fibre artist I’d be interested to see how this impacts on family & or others I wonder if it has a similar impact I wonder if it creates a form of calm in the family when we gather in the lounge at the end of the day that’s when we get the chance to knit or crochet if having to go out for work. I’d appreciate to know 😊🙏💖

[@EweUniversity]

Hi Debra -- I don't know of any research that has looked at the effect of knitting on people around the knitter. It would be a great study!

[@jenniferannfox2316]

I'm going back to listen to some old videos of yours, catching up. This one is so intriguing to me and explains so much. I've knitted for 5 years now. I love to knit shawls particularly. Before learning to knit I cross stitched for 40 years. I love both. There is something different about knitting though and I think it's the using of both hands I don't know but it really helps me alot. Last year I had major shoulder surgery on my right shoulder and was really bummed out the time I couldn't knit but I picked it up earlier and I think it helped me get the pain of the physical therapy process for 3 months. Also this year, in January had a major car accident which has left me (previously a professional as a women's health nurse practitioner) with a speech disorder and short term memory issue after a mild TBI and I'm still going through therapy to help avoid long term problems but I started knitting my own simple shawl on the bias making only one decrease and it's huge but in 3 colors to keep it not boring. My mind craves to knit. I can't drive yet so I've really noticed how much I don't feel depressed even with all the loss and I think knitting is like therapy for me. My dad died last year right before my shoulder surgery and after I got home from the funeral I made an absolutely beauitful lace shawl with fingering weight 2 colors of Madelinetosh that I couldn't re test for a pattern. I designed as I knit and it helped me tremendously with grief. Psychology is interesting indeed and in women's health the area I've worked for 30 years, I found myself letting patients know that knitting is therapy for the past 5 years. Several already knit and told me how beneficial for their mental health it was as well. I much prefer this to taking any SSRI. Enjoyed this episode.

[@carmensavu5122]

Have they tried the shock experiment on cats?

[@Jacelyn5440]

Dr. Kelly, do you think Crochet has the same effect as knitting? Never mind, Dr. Kelly. That question was not thought out at ALL! :) I listened to the video and learned some very interesting things. I have an interest in psychology and these studies really are eye-opening.

[@EweUniversity]

Hi Virginia! Yes, I do think crochet has the same effect as knitting. What's important is that repetitive motion and the fact that you are making something with your hands (as opposed to something like playing a video game). So glad you liked this video. Thanks for watching. ♥

[@lynettedaniels1236]

It doesn't surprise me at all but it does inspire me to be more active with my creative pursuits. Thank you for sharing!

[@EweUniversity]

Hi Lynette -- thanks for your comment and for watching! XO

[@Mindfulnessification]

Hi KRISTINE, thank you so much for this information. As a 💕🐑💕 KNITTER 💕🐑💕 and a school psychologist, I am always looking for ways to support children and family through non-medication methods. I will check this book out snd share the information that you shared today. I have two IG accounts - @jenmarkow and @knittingtobemindful. See you there! Happy holidays! 💕🐑💕🐑💕✌🏼💕🙏🏼💕🐑💕🐑💕

[@EweUniversity]

Hi Jen! I totally agree. Hope you enjoy the book. It is chock full of great info. 💜

[@HandDrawnYarn]

I have been reading Mindfulness in Knitting and I can relate to what is described/written in the book but sometimes I find my stress level increases when I drop stitches or have to insert life lines to rescue my knitting pieces 😂😅

[@EweUniversity]

LOL, I'm with you on that! :D There are benefits to simple, mindless knitting (rhythmic movements) as well as challenging knitting (cognitive acuity). But there is inevitably frustration sometimes. That's when I throw my naughty knitting in the corner until it decides to behave nice. XO