Habits and hobbies are the building blocks of life, especially as we age. Adopting good habits and practicing healthy hobbies is a great way to live longer, happier, and healthier, but it can be hard to find something that suits you. For many though, sewing can be a practical and productive hobby that provides numerous health and mental benefits. Sewing with fabric can promote a peaceful state of mind, naturally, encourage the production of dopamine and help you learn to create things you can share with friends or family. And the best part about sewing is that it’s never too late to start! Regardless of your age or ability, sewing can be a very fun and friendly hobby that one picks up at any point in their life and begin to reap the benefits.
What in particular about a sewing hobby helps me, you ask? Read on for five proven benefits that can come with adopting a sewing hobby.
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Sewing has been shown to reduce stress
Have you ever noticed a sense of relaxation when you’re carefully sewing together a new dress or scarf? It’s not a placebo, studies have shown that sewing encourages mindfulness and helps to reduce stress and general anxiety. For both experts and beginners, sewing and creating new handmade items helps develop confidence and promotes relaxation. Getting into a rhythm with your thread and needle can be a great way to let go of your daily concerns and redirect your attention to something beautiful, soft, and calming.
So the next time you feel overwhelmed or lose control of your thoughts, try reaching for a thread and needle to put your mind at ease. Getting lost in a floral pattern fabric project is a healthy way to let go of stress and improve your mental health with a classic hobby.
Sewing can improve your concentration
Sewing teaches technique, precision, and repetition. Concentrating on one particular task enables you to become immersed in a situation and truly unwind. And through a renewed sense of calm and repetition, your brain builds the habit of being able to focus better. Developing habits requires reward and repetition, sewing can provide both of these, and ritually doing it will help encourage concentration for all tasks.
Greater hand-eye coordination
Looking to improve hand-eye coordination? Sewing will help with that too. The gentle motions and precision in needlework. Some studies have shown that sewing primarily improves your hand-eye coordination, so if you’re having trouble playing catch, consider taking up sewing as a hobby and get your threadwork down first.
A sewing hobby helps keep your brain trained
Over time our brains naturally have a tendency to decline cognitively, but just like working out helps keep our bodies primed and in shape, practicing mental habits can be incredibly beneficial for battling brain decay. Many studies have shown that people who practice fabric sewing stimulate a special part of their brains that scientists believe is responsible for creativity. This stimulation can improve your brain’s ability to grow new brain cells. This is great for preventing cognitive decline, and some studies suggest can even help battle more serious mental ailments. By keeping up a good habit like sewing over the years, you’ll not only have wonderful decor and stylish items to share but stronger mental health.
You might find yourself happier with a sewing hobby
Ditching your stress with a hobby like sewing can naturally improve your mood and much like other craft activities, sewing increases dopamine in the brain, which makes us feel more positive. Completing a sewing project also gives you something physical to cherish, reflect on, or even share. Practicing sewing fabric as a hobby can be a great way to connect with friends or loved ones, naturally nurturing your need for healthy relationships.
Ready to start sewing?
Sewing is truly is an incredible art and getting started just requires the right materials. Start by exploring fabric samples and get inspired for your first (or next) project!
Fabrics Yard has some of the largest arrays of fabric options and incredible prices to match. Just make sure you measure twice before you order!
