Do you like to knit? Or do you have neither knitting needles nor time? And in general, do you think that only grandmothers do this? Many of them really love to knit. And, as doctors have found out, they are not doing this in vain!
By the way, doctors are sure that knitting is not just interesting, but also incredibly useful, and at any age! This kind of needlework has been around for several centuries, but it is especially useful in our turbulent times.
But not everyone knows that knitting is not only a useful leisure activity, but also a cure for many serious diseases.
People who love this type of needlework are distinguished by good memory, goodwill and sound judgment. Creating a soft and fluffy fabric becomes a real shield that prevents the onset of a serious illness - Alzheimer's disease. But she chooses younger and younger people as her targets.
Knitting against Alzheimer's
However, these days, special techniques have been created and successfully used to combat Alzheimer's disease, including knitting as a therapy against this disease.
Let's figure out how popular handicraft becomes a remedy.
What happens with age and what does Alzheimer's have to do with it.
In 1907, the German psychiatrist Alois Alzheimer described the symptoms of a disease that occurs in 
people in the second half of life. Later, the symptoms he described were named after the doctor.
With Alzheimer's disease, with each passing year, the human brain gradually loses its functions, and metabolic processes in cells are disrupted. As a result, they gradually die. Moreover, at first this happens imperceptibly, but gradually they appear more clearly.
Fortunately, the course of the disease can be slowed down.
IMPORTANT! Knitting is one of the ways to avoid this disease, as well as to alleviate the condition of already ill patients.
Knitting possibilities
People love to knit in different parts of our planet. And this is no coincidence. You've probably heard more than once that 
it “calms the nerves.” Indeed, habitual needlework is akin to meditation.
IMPORTANT! To successfully overcome stress, conflicts, depression, pick up knitting needles or a crochet hook and start knitting!
During the needlework process the following happens.
- The person is immersed in a kind of trance.
- Experiences relaxation.
- This reduces the level of anxiety.
As a result, positive changes in mental state are observed. A healthy psyche is 
the basis for the full functioning of the brain, so the connection between knitting and brain health is obvious.
IMPORTANT! It has been proven that while crocheting or knitting, blood pressure and heart rate decrease, and the amount of stress hormone in the blood drops significantly.
The creative process of creating an original item raises a person’s self-esteem and gives a charge of positive energy.
The health benefits extend beyond creativity and stress management. Moreover, you can start knitting at almost any age.
Knitting as therapy
In some countries, hooks, knitting needles and yarn are used to treat and prevent diseases. IN 
In particular, in Turkey there is a University for people over 60 years of age. Here they are taught to be healthy and active. Knitting is taught as a separate course, not only for women, but also for men.
Students at this institution are tasked with creating sweaters, scarves and hats. Almost everyone notes that soon after starting classes, their memory and well-being improved, their mood increased, and the desire to live and work fully appeared. Moreover, at the beginning of the course, many men were offended when they were asked to learn how to use knitting needles or crochet.
Canada has developed a program for smokers to quit the bad habit. The basis is learning to knit. Subsequently, these methods began to be used for psychological assistance in overcoming serious illnesses, including cancer.
Yarn therapy is used to combat the consequences of stroke. To restore motor functions of the hand, speech and memory, it is necessary to develop fine motor skills. Knitting is ideal for this, which is why many doctors recommend that patients take up knitting needles or a crochet hook.
Other health benefits of knitting
Knitting renders beneficial effects not only on brain health.
Eastern medicine claims that any handicraft affects biologically active points 
palms, each of which is responsible for the health of certain organs.
- Using the hook stimulates the acupuncture of the fingers, which are responsible for the condition of the pelvic organs and spine.
- Working on knitting needles allows you to improve the functioning of the cardiovascular system and digestion.
- This type of leisure is useful for arthritis. Thanks to constant movement, blood supply to the joints of the hands and their mobility improves.
- Some women claim that the hobby helps them maintain normal body weight. The calming effect of knitting prevents the development of stress, which many are accustomed to eating high-calorie foods.
And in addition to the beneficial effects of knitting are the positive emotions that the needlewoman experiences when completing the work. They are doubled when family and friends sincerely thank you by receiving gifts of things associated with love.
Do you like to knit? Haven't tried it yet? Get started without delay! Don't deprive yourself of the pleasure that knitting will give you!
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