Cross stitch is so addictive for so many varied reasons. Cross-stitchers can attest that the craft is relaxing, gives a person a sense of fulfillment, and is a good source of escape. Crafts like cross-stitching are excellent ways to relax after tiring work or school days.
It is one of the primary reasons that these days, it is not only the grannies who would spend vast amounts of time cross-stitching but there is also a young breed of stitchers who are interested in pursuing this craft.
Gathered below are some of the reasons why cross stitch is so addictive.
- Relaxing activity
- Keep hands busy
- You can multitask
- Something to look forward to
- Save money on gifts
- It Feels fulfilling
- It does not cost much.
Doing crafts like cross-stitching is one efficient way to unwind after a day of toiling at work. Many people who do cross-stitching confirm that it is a very relaxing activity that is therapeutic and relieves stress. It can help release the day’s tensions as you must focus on the work.
Cross-stitching is the perfect hobby that can keep your hands busy. It is a perfect technique to keep your hands off food or cigarettes if trying to break a bad habit.
Cross-stitching can be pretty addicting but in a good way. Many people who get addicted to cross stitch say that it contributes positively to mental health as a way to relax and feel happy.
The materials you need are handy; just your piece of Aida fabric, your design pattern, cotton floss, and a needle. It is also one of the hobbies that you can bring anywhere. You can sit anywhere in the house, on the beach, at the park, or anywhere you feel relaxed to stitch.
Another good thing about cross-stitching is that you can do other things, even if your hands and eyes are busy while stitching. Cross-stitching is the best time for some to binge-watch their favorite movies or TV series, especially those you have watched repeatedly.
Others like to listen to podcasts, audiobooks, or music while stitching, whatever relaxes the mind. Some even listen to a game of their favorite sports team, while others try stitching in a car on a road trip.
If you are making a simple cross-stitch pattern, it only needs a little of your concentration. You can still enjoy the wonders of stitching while you keep your hands busy doing their magic.
When you are cross-stitching, you always have something to look forward to. It is a perfect hobby to fill the time; something you can do in your free time or during down times such as on a long train or plane ride or maybe waiting in a long line.
Another exciting thing about cross-stitching is that you can do it on anything. It does need to be on an even-weave material or Aida fabric. You can cross-stitch any pattern on any fabric surface, such as your pillowcases, bags, and even bracelets.
Cross-stitch is something you can always look forward to doing wherever and whatever the situation is.
An indication that you are already addicted to cross stitch is when you see completed projects pile up. A sure sign that cross-stitching is a positive addiction is when you give away your finished pieces. You save money on gifts, and at the same time, you give in to the pleasure of doing your favorite craftwork.
It is also an addicting feeling when your friends or family appreciate your handmade gifts over those store-bought ones.
Finishing a cross-stitch piece can give you a tremendous sense of accomplishment. With cross-stitch, as with most arts and crafts you have poured your time into, you will always feel an overwhelming sense of fulfillment whenever you reach the last stitch.
It is noteworthy making something out of a simple tool and materials with the help of your two creative hands.
Another valid reason you can get addicted to cross-stitching is that the hobby does not cost much. With cross-stitching, you only need a piece of even weave fabric, a needle, and some cotton threads. You can make different designs on the Aida fabric depending on your mood, as elaborate or simple as you want.
Cross-stitching is an inexpensive hobby, yet you can make many things with it aside from a framed picture. You can cross-stitch patterns on anything, like shirts, dresses, or baby clothing items. You can make the basic cross-stitch bookmark or do your cross-stitch design on a phone case.
Cross-stitching is easy to learn and is perfect for all ages. Get a pinch of creativity, an ounce of patience, some colorful cotton threads, and a needle. It is exciting knowing that you can pick from a wide range of items available in the market that you can cross-stitch on, and it does not cost much.
List of Contents:
Is Cross-stitching Good for the Brain?
Cross-stitching is good for the brain, proven by research and studies. Cross-stitching can increase the dopamine level in your brain. Dopamine is a feel-good chemical that plays an essential role in improving one’s happiness.
Making crafts such as cross-stitching helps to improve brain function. Cross-stitching helps to keep your brain in good condition by keeping it active.
Cross-stitching helps you to think creatively. It drives your brain to be creative by allowing you to solve small problems, such as when you need to start afresh with a new thread color on a different area of your fabric.
When you focus on your stitching, your brain concentrates solely on the present tasks. This activity leads you into some self-induced meditation that relaxes the brain.
Cross-stitching also includes improvement in cognitive, emotional, and social well-being. The Royal United Hospital Bath observed that this craft decreases stress hormones while increasing feel-good hormones serotonin and dopamine.
Is Cross Stitch Good for Mental Health?
Cross-stitch has benefits for one’s mental health. A craft as simple as cross-stitching can help deal with mental health concerns such as stress or anxiety.
Below are some mental health benefits from simply stitching crosses to form a design on an even-weave fabric.
- Regain control
- Maintain Cognitive Vitality
- Reduces stress
Mental health experts can attest that one symptom of mental health in a person is losing the ability to control. If you fall into the trap of mental health issues, you can practice cross-stitching to regain control.
You get to decide the pattern you want to do and choose the area where to start the pattern. Cross stitching helps you keep away the feeling that you have lost control.
Cross-stitching can help you maintain cognitive vitality. It is a tried and tested practice that can help keep your cognitive energy. It can aid you with your mental health maintenance and self-care.
Following a cross-stitch pattern means you should be mindful of the number of stitches you are working on, making your mind healthy and active.
Stress usually is manifested through anger, frustration, sadness, or fear. All of these are destructive to your mental health. Cross-stitching is a technique that can effectively help reduce stress because it allows you to work at your own pace.
According to a study by the Home Sewing Association, people who cross-stitch have lower blood pressure and decreased heart rate. Many cross-stitchers find this craft relaxing, allowing one to slow down after a tiring day.
Some consider cross-stitching a form of meditation because of its repetitive action that brings calmness.
Is Cross-stitching Good for Depression?
Cross-stitching is known to heal many issues like depression. Crafts like cross-stitching can keep you from dwelling on bad things.
A cross-stitch project helps you concentrate on your goal: stitching crosses on the Aida fabric according to the pattern design. It helps keeps you focused on the task at hand.
Having a craft or hobby like cross-stitching can help you feel better for not thinking about anything else, especially bad or sad things that can lead to depression.
Cross-stitching is good for depression by lowering the measure of the hormone cortisol, which is a stress hormone. It helps relieve daily stresses and also offers relief for chronic pain.
Another reason cross-stitching lowers the incidence of depression is its calming and relaxing quality, comparable to meditation.
Also, cross-stitching is a big help for retired people and those who are healing because it promotes physical activity and creativity.
Does Cross-stitching Help Anxiety?
Cross-stitching can help manage and reduce anxiety because it makes a person focus on the stitching instead of feeling anxious. For people with anxiety disorder, helpful treatments include mindfulness, grounding techniques, and distraction, allowing you to concentrate on the current moment. Crafts like cross stitching are an excellent grounding practice and a calming distraction.
Cross-stitching is simple and repetitive, yet it can help lessen your anxiety. Doing something for yourself that you enjoy can make you less anxious.
Taking at least one to two hours a day to do something that relaxes you can reduce your anxiety levels. Cross-stitching is one of the easiest needlework that can promote relaxation, calmness, and serenity.
A study by the Home Sewing Association showed that people who cross stitch have lower blood pressure levels and a decrease in heart rate. Cross-stitch is one of the best bets for a person who needs a hobby.
It is an ideal way to de-stress from all the complications of a difficult and long day. Cross-stitching and repetitive craftwork can be mentally, physically, and emotionally rewarding.
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