DALEY RELAXATION

Feeling stressed? Take the plunge and follow Olympic gold medallist Tom Daley’s pastime of knitting.

A survey of over 3,500 knitters worldwide, published in the British Journal of Occupational Therapy, concluded that "knitting has significant psychological and social benefits, which can contribute to wellbeing and quality of life."

It can distract from chronic pain, lower blood pressure, reduce depression and anxiety, and even slow the onset of dementia. The repetitive movements are said to induce a meditative-like calm, distracting knitters from their symptoms, while those who join charities and form groups benefit from these effective social support networks.

READY TO DIVE IN?

Tom Daley (@madewithlovebytomdaley)

UK hand knitting: ukhandknitting.com

NEED SUPPORT?

Help yourself – our self help guide on anxiety can be read online, downloaded or watched as a video.merseycare.nhs.uk