As we are heading into the busy holiday season, now is the time we often feel a lot of stress. Between trying to finish end of the year projects at work to all the festive seasonal preparations, it can be an overwhelming time. It hardly seems like the time to break out a quilt project. But did you know that quilting actually has numerous physical and mental health benefits? Here are few of the nice things that quilting can do for you:
- Generates a sense of accomplishment – Sure your company didn’t meet its “stretch goals” for the year, but you finished little Suzie’s quilt. Win!
- A natural anti-depressant – Crafting activities such as quilting, knitting and other handiwork cause your brain to release the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin, the so-called “happy chemicals”.
- Keeps your brain active and engaged … and thereby postpones cognitive aging and dementia. The more complicated the task the better, so bring on those double wedding ring quilts!
- Reduces stress – What could be more relaxing than looking at colorful fabrics and shaping them into something both useful and beautiful? Reducing stress lowers the risk of heart attack and stroke. So, quilting might just save your life someday!