Stop Scrolling and Start Crocheting: Swap Your Screen Time for Yarn

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Stop scrolling and start crocheting! Crochet offers countless benefits, including stress relief, increased focus, and the satisfaction from creating something handmade.

We’ve all been there. You open your phone for a “quick scroll,” and before you know it, hours have slipped by. You’ve scrolled through photos, memes, and videos, but instead of feeling uplifted, you’re left feeling drained, anxious, and even more unmotivated than when you started.

Sound familiar?

In today’s world, it’s easy to get caught in the endless loop of social media, but what if I told you that it didn’t have to be that way. That you could stop the doom scrolling and find a hobby that is totally addictive, will give you a sense of purpose and will leave you feeling amazing.

Hi! I’m Elise and I have found all of those benefits from crochet and I know you can too. 

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Stop Scrolling and Start Crocheting

There are so many benefits from this craft and I’m not the only one tooting crochet’s horn. Just do a quick Google search of all the ways that crochet can help and you’ll find endless articles and videos to prove my point.

Researchers have also discovered those benefits and many health practitioners are now “prescribing” crochet to their patients to help with different ailments like: anxiety, stress, blood pressure problems and chronic pain just to name a few.

By the end of this post you will be convinced that it’s time to stop scrolling and start crocheting!

woman scrolling on her phone laying on the couch

Crochet for Stress Relief

I started crocheting back in 2016 to help with the stress due to my son’s chronic illness. He was not doing well and was in and out of the hospital and I felt like I was losing my mind.

The stress of that situation was awful and I experienced:

  • irritability
  • I was unable to sleep
  • I had stomach aches
  • I obsessed with “what if” scenarios
  • I even had frequent chest pain

One especially low day I realized that in order to help my son, I needed to find something to keep my hands and my mind occupied.

I went onto Pinterest bound and determined to find a hobby. It felt like the heavens had opened up I stumbled upon the most beautiful crocheted granny square crib blanket pattern from Alicia Paulson and from that moment I was hooked (pun intended).

Immediately I began to notice the benefits. For the first time in a long time I was excited about something. I could sense that I was feeling more hopeful and relaxed.

And more importantly that made me a better mom for my son who needed me more than ever.

Sometimes when we are stressed we pick up our phones and start scrolling through social media or the news, which is a breeding ground for stress and anxiety.

What I found was that crochet offered a soothing, repetitive motion that calmed my mind and gave me space to just breathe.

The rhythm of stitching helped release my tension and encouraged me to focus on the present moment instead of on all the “what ifs”.

Crochet Boosts Your Mood and Fights Depression

Several studies have shown that creative activities, like crochet, can improve mood and overall mental health.

I found articles in:

Each of them reported that people who crochet experienced less stress.

The meditative and repetitive action of both knitting and crocheting help to focus the mind on the activity, thereby slowing the nervous system and reducing anxiety and stress hormones (cortisol) in the body.

Henry Ford Health

When you are creating something tangible, whether it’s a cozy blanket or an adorable amigurumi toy, it provides a sense of accomplishment, which releases dopamine, which is a natural mood booster.

I found that the more I crocheted, the better I felt. And I wasn’t the only one that noticed my improved mood. My family began commenting about how much happier and less cranky I seemed.

Crocheting really was helping me deal with all that life was throwing my way.

Crochet for Focus

On top of everything else, we live in a hyper distracted world and never had focus issues until just a few years ago.

I’m not blaming it all on technology, but I believe it plays a large part.

When you’re mindlessly scrolling, it’s easy to feel scattered and distracted. Crochet on the other hand, requires concentration and focus.

I’ve found that as I follow crochet patterns, video tutorials, counting stitches and solving problems I’ve noticed that my attention span has improved in other areas of my life.

A Healthy Break from Technology

We all need to unplug from time to time and there are so many benefits to putting your phone down and picking your crochet hook up.

Crochet gives your hands something productive to do while giving your mind a break from screens.

Studies have shown that getting off of screens close to bed time can help improve sleep.

One of my favorite times of the day to crochet is in the morning and the evening.

Crocheting in the early hours of the morning has been incredibly beneficial to me. Starting my day away from a screen helps me to start off focused and calm.

I also love to crochet in the evenings before bed. My family and I sit down to watch TV and I crochet for an hour or two.

Check Out I Crocheted Every Morning for 30 Days and It Changed My Life Here

Crochet Builds Confidence and Creativity

One of the most surprising benefits of crochet is that I have become a much more confident person.

For my entire life I’ve been the kind of person that struggled with confidence. I always looked at other people and all the things they could do and wished I could be like that.

Any time I would try to learn a new skill, I would quit. The moment it became mildly challenging I gave up, that is until crochet.

I was so determined to learn how to crochet that I decided that I would do whatever it took to learn. But what is amazing about crochet is that it is very beginner friendly. That doesn’t mean that I didn’t experience bumps in the road, because I did. But having those early wins gave me the confidence I needed to keep going.

Every time I complete a crochet project, I feel an undeniable sense of accomplishment. When you take raw materials and turn them into something functional or beautiful it boosts your confidence. And that boost gives you the motivation to keep going.

My biggest surprise is that confidence has spilled over into so many other areas of my life. I would have never started my own business at 44-years-old if I hadn’t learned how to crochet.

Crochet is a Social Activity

What’s wonderful about crochet is that it can be a solitary activity when you need to be alone and fill your own cup.

But it doesn’t always have to be.

You can join local crochet groups in your community and there are also charities where people get together to make items for people and animals in need.

Plus you can find crochet communities online that share your enthusiasm.

This has been another surprising benefit. I have replaced a lot of my generic social media scrolling for inspiration and positivity in the online crochet community on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.

Granny Squares

Crochet is Affordable

Unlike many other hobbies, crochet doesn’t require a huge financial investment to get started.

All you need is a hook, some yarn, and a little bit of time. There are endless free tutorials, patterns, and resources available online, you can learn at your own pace.

Crochet Handmade Gifts from the Heart

One of the most rewarding aspects of crochet is that you can use your newfound hobby to spread joy to others.

You can make gifts for friends and family, hats and scarves for the homeless or blankets and shawls for people in nursing homes. There are so many ways to use your crochet to bless others.

Handmade gifts show you’ve put love and care into each stitch.

Stop Scrolling and Start Crocheting

Ready to start?

The next time you feel the urge to scroll, resist it. Instead, pick up some yarn and a crochet hook, and dive into this fulfilling hobby.

Not only will you feel more productive and less anxious, but you’ll also discover a creative outlet that can bring joy to your life every day.

Crochet isn’t just about making things—it’s about reclaiming your time, boosting your mental health, and creating a space for calm in a busy world.

So, stop scrolling and start crocheting today! You’ll be amazed at how much better you feel.

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