health front

lower stress with knitting

Winter 2018, South Korea. Summer 2021, Tokyo. It wasn’t just the Olympic snowboarding or diving that caught the attention of the fans and media. It was the knitting.

As a member of his team got ready to ride, Finnish snowboarding coach Antti Koskinen gave him a fist bump, transferring his yarn and needles to one hand to do so.

Fast forward three and a half years, and there, in the stands in Tokyo, was British diver Tom Daley knitting as he watched members of his team compete. Daley says knitting relieves stress and helps him find mindfulness and calm.

Two decades ago, Ellen B. Rubin made a similar discovery. The former immunology researcher observed people who were helped by knitting or crocheting. Now, she says, she recently had her observations validated: “Stress levels are affected by knitting and crochet by decreasing cortisol levels.” This has the effect of lowering the heart rate and slowing breathing as “fight or flight” syndrome is brought under control.

Rubin cites diminished worrying as one of knitting’s benefits. “Knitting has also been shown to lower one’s blood pressure,” she says, “and may protect the brain from damage due to aging.”

The self-styled “pied piper of the therapeutic benefits of knitting and crochet,” Rubin says they “not only promote one’s own wellness but also that of others when a recipient receives a handmade item.”

To help people achieve the benefits of knitting, Rubin opened a shop, Luv2Knit & More, in Jenkintown, PA, and is creative director of the nonprofit division, Therapeutic Crafters on Call.

While more research is called for, one study of more than 3,500 knitters found “a significant relationship between knitting frequency and feeling calm and happy.” The study authors also said, “More frequent knitters also reported higher cognitive functioning.”

— Nan Fornal

SELECTED SOURCES “The benefits of knitting for personal and social wellbeing in adulthood: Findings from an international survey” by Jill Riley et al., British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 2/15/13 • Personal communication, Ellen B. Rubin, 12/14/21

olive oil takes center stage

Upping your olive oil intake may lengthen your life. A new study from the American College of Cardiology linked consuming about a half-teaspoon per day with lower risks of dying from cardiovascular disease, cancer, neurodegenerative disease, and respiratory disease.

The researchers advised replacing fats such as margarine, butter, and dairy fats with olive oil for improved health. They analyzed results from more than 90,000 people in two large studies who were followed for 28 years. Participants with higher olive oil consumption were also more physically active, were less likely to smoke, and ate more fruits and vegetables than those with lower olive oil consumption.

SELECTED SOURCES “Consumption of olive oil and risk of total and causespecific mortality among U.S. adults” by M. Guasch-Ferré, Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 1/22 • “Higher olive oil intake associated with lower risk of CVD mortality,” American College of Cardiology, 1/10/22

activity boosts memory

Older adults who keep busy with various activities may reduce their risk of memory decline. Participants in a new study were asked how often they engaged in 33 activities ranging from hobbies such as baking or cooking, reading, playing cards and games, walking, or socializing with family and friends through letters, email, phone calls, or in-person visits. The researchers created a learning model to analyze the activities’ impact on memory.

“Our study results show that cognitive decline can be reduced through a combination of active, daily activities— things like using a computer and playing word games,” said researcher Sylvain Moreno, PhD.

SELECTED SOURCES “Healthy memory aging—the benefits of regular daily activities increase with age” by O. Krakovska et al., Aging, 12/16/21 •

“Keeping active through varied activities can reduce risk of developing

dementia,” Simon Fraser University, 12/16/21

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