Knitting is supposed to be a relaxing activity. But there are some who experience dizziness while knitting. It is a fact, and you should identify what causes or what gets wrong when doing this craft.
Each knitter is different. Every knitter has different knitting habits and techniques. Knitters from other parts of the world differ in many ways but are also very much alike. All knitters share a love for yarn and needles.
Knitters also share whatever pain a knitter would encounter. Can knitting make you dizzy? Here are some instances where knitters get dizzy due to knitting.
- Concentrating too hard on the knitting project
- In a stiff and tense position while knitting
- Not wearing eyeglasses when knitting
- Doing something else other than knitting (reading or watching TV) while knitting
- Knitting when tired
- Not taking breaks when knitting
- Poor lighting while knitting
Studies have stated that knitting can be a form of relaxation and positively affect mental and physical health. It is known that knitting and meditation have similar benefits in calming the brain.
If knitting makes you dizzy, there is something amiss. Experienced knitters recommend solutions to avoid feeling dizzy while doing your favorite craftwork.
- Make sure to relax your shoulders and take deep breaths if you concentrate too hard on your knitting.
- If you loosen up a bit, you will notice that the dizziness will stop, your muscles will relax, and you will not experience neck pain.
- Wearing the proper eyewear will prevent you from feeling dizzy. Some knitters, such as knitting, do not need to wear glasses when working at a very close distance.
- Sometimes, doing other things while knitting can make you feel dizzy because you must look up from work and back often, straining your eye and neck muscles. It works for some knitters to multitask while knitting (watching TV simultaneously), but it can cause heads to spin for some. You will eventually know which type of knitter you are.
- Knitting when tired may also make one dizzy because of the strain on the eyes, shoulders, and neck. It is also harder to focus on what you are doing when the body is tired, which can result in stress or dizziness. Essentially, not taking breaks when knitting can cause a knitter’s head, neck, shoulders, and hands to grow tired, leading to dizzy spells.
- Poor lighting can force you to slouch over your knitting. Make your knitting area well-lit to avoid straining your eyes which may result in headaches and nausea.
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Can knitting cause headaches? – Knitting Make you Dizzy
Knitting can cause headaches and stress when done in dim light because you need to squint your eyes and look closer at your stitches. Knitting under poor conditions can lead you to experience eye strain that can result in headaches, burning eyes, and sore neck.
Knitting usually takes long hours and can make your eyes tired. You may enjoy knitting so much that you might lose track of time. It will help if you set a time limit for knitting to have space for your eyes to rest.
Take 10 to 15-minute breaks for every hour of knitting. Taking breaks will help relax your eyes, head, and hands.
Choose a well-lit area to do your knitting to avoid stressing your eyes which could lead to headaches.
Headache is just one of the health issues you may get by knitting in poor conditions. Some knitters may experience other issues affecting other body parts that are directly and indirectly used while knitting.
Is knitting stressful?
Knitting is stressful only if you allow it. Knitting is supposed to be an excellent activity to de-stress.
If you are a newbie at knitting, you can get stressed out with the things you still need to learn about. But if you soldier on with your knitting, you will discover that eventually, you will learn all the ropes, and everything will be stress-free.
Below are a few things you can do for a less stressful knitting journey.
- It is best to avoid comparing yourself with other knitters. Every knitter has its own pace to follow. Some knitters are just beginning to discover the basic stitches, while others are already experts in the craft. If you compare, you will never be at peace with yourself and knitting.
- Focus on your knitting goals. Just like learning any craft that needs your patience, you will also find yourself in a bind with knitting. Rather than focus on the negative things that can happen, focus on the results that you want to see and the advantages of learning this craft.
- Do away with the negative vibes that might veer you away from the goal. Do not allow small stresses to affect you and your knitting.
- Take a break and scare the stresses away. Remember that when it gets complicated, you can always put your knitting project down. You can always pick it up again; it might be the right time to finish it. Know that with knitting, as with anything else, you will get better with time.
- If your surroundings are noisy, you should distance yourself from them. Knitting is supposed to provide relaxation, and loud background noise will lessen your focus on your project resulting in mistakes that can cause stress.
- Finally, if you feel stuck on the part of knitting that you cannot fix, ask for help. It is easy to find answers to any queries online, in books, and with people with similar interests. Refrain from worrying if you are making mistakes while knitting. Treat them positively as a learning curve.
Every time you bring out your yarn and needles, think of it as a relaxing time to relieve you of stress and not otherwise.
What are some common knit and crochet health concerns?
The five most common health concerns related to knitting are eye strain, neck pain, back pain, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, and weight gain.
As a knitter, you would want to be able to knit for the longest time. And that would be possible only if you keep these health concerns at bay. Below are some of the most common health problems knitters and crochet enthusiasts face and how you can resolve them before it is too late.
Eye Strain
Knitting, crocheting, or crafting processes require you to focus with your eyes, especially if you are a newbie in the craft. It would help if you had good lighting in your work area, or you will keep squinting while knitting your stitches. Dedicate a desk lamp to illuminate your work area.
Knitting, crocheting, or sewing for long periods can cause strain on your eyes. The effect is similar to watching the computer screen for an extended period; headache and nausea.
Prevent eye strain by looking away from your work and viewing the greenery or anywhere more distant.
Taking frequent breaks can also help to lower the possibility of eye strain, therefore, fewer headaches.
Neck Pain and Back Pain
It is vital to have good posture while knitting. Knitting is a craft that takes long hours of sitting and looking down at your project. If you are going to knit for a long time, knitting for an extended period can cause neck and back pain problems which can be easily prevented with proper posture while working.
- Avoid slouching while knitting. Sitting up straight will prevent you from having neck and back pain.
- While sitting down, your knees should be level with or slightly higher than your hips. You can use a footstool to keep your limbs more comfortable. It is also good to position your feet flat on the floor.
- Make sure to use a comfy chair with good back support. Some knitters recommend a rocking chair as an excellent choice.
- It would help if you kept your elbows close to your sides and your knitting nestled on your lap.
Even with a proper posture while knitting, stretching and moving about once in a while would still be best. You can get up and do other things after a half hour of knitting. Wiggle your arms and limbs, tilt your head front and back, then side to side.
You can roll your shoulders a few times to loosen them and your upper back. Standing up and moving around once in a while can relieve tension in your neck, back, and whole body.
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Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
One of the most common pain issues that knitters or yarn crafters encounter are painful and numb fingers and wrists. These issues may be caused by repetitive hand movements, typical of crafts like crocheting, knitting, and holding the hook and knitting needles.
To prevent these hand and wrist issues as you knit, put down your hook and needles as often as you need to. Relax your hands and perform hand stretches to avoid Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
Weight Gain
Knitting and crocheting are crafts that you can do sitting. Sitting for a long time can lower your energy level. You can get lost in your knitting world and sit on your comfy chair for hours.
Too much of anything is not good for your health, even too much knitting. If you like knitting too much, you need to get up and stay active so you can perform the art of knitting for a long time.
Aim to have a busy time per day, even for 30 minutes of indoor or outdoor exercise, to keep the blood moving in your veins. Make sure to keep yourself hydrated and keep your cravings at bay to avoid gaining too much weight and enjoying this sedentary hobby.
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