Why you should encourage your kids to pick up embroidery as a hobby
With everyone’s lives changing after the pandemic in an unprecedented manner, a lot of emphasis has been given to mental health, and rightly so. It has been an especially tough time for teenagers, thanks to the shift to online mode of education which has led to a lot of anxiety. A great way to stave off the stress is to introduce your school students to some fun activities that will calm them down. Embroidery, according to mental health professionals, is a calming activity. Research suggests that it can contribute towards cultivating mindfulness, helps in managing emotions, reduces stress, increases self-awareness and of course, is also a great creative outlet! Here are some reasons why you should encourage your kid to pick up embroidery as a hobby.
What is embroidery?
Embroidery is an age-old craft which involves decorated fabric with designs created using a needle and different coloured threads. The designs are formed on the basis of texture of the fabric and stitch. It may also include materials other than threads, like pearls, beads, stones and sequins. Fundamental stitches of hand embroidery include running stitch, chain stitch, cross stitch and satin stitch.
Benefits of embroidery
The benefits of this simple craft range from enhancing mental health and mindfulness to sharpening cognition. Here are some of them in detail-
It is a mindfulness practice: The stressors of daily routine often tend to divert one’s focus away from self-awareness and lead to worrying and overthinking. Embroidery works as a fantastic mindfulness practice as it demands one’s presence in the moment and attention to the work at hand. As a result, it dissolves the state of anxiety and brings about tranquillity. If your kid finds it tasking to sit in a place and meditate, encourage him to spend at least 30 minutes every day doing embroidery since it has a similar effect.
Improves cognitive skills: Embroidery involves fine-tuned focus, intricate hand movements and motor skills. This combination makes it an activity that is extremely engaging. Since it is a spatial and gestural practice, it plays a key role in the development of various brain processes.
Enhances creativity: Research suggests that the therapeutic craft of embroidery stimulates the right side of the brain which is associated with creativity. Having a creative outlet improves the quality of life, emotional intelligence and also reduces stress. As a craft, embroidery provides enough space for your kid to experiment with different kinds of stiches, materials, colours, etc. It has the ability to provoke new ideas and concepts, which can be expressed through embroidery. Moreover, it can also be taken a step further towards sustainable clothing, as one can embroider clothes and/or upscale old ones.
Boosts self-esteem: Self-esteem and confidence are important to have in all aspects of life. Learning a new skill or craft can lead to a boost in your kid’s level of self-esteem by generating a sense of accomplishment. Just looking at the finished version of her embroidery project will give her a feeling of competence and the satisfaction of having done dedicated, hard work.
Easy steps to get started
If your kid is confused about where to begin, inform her that it is an extremely easy process. Beginners require basic equipment such as needles, threads, a pencil, some fabric, embroidery ring and scissors. Encourage her to begin with a simple design using basic stitches like the running stitch. With practice and guidance from the plethora of videos available online, she can gradually move onto more complex designs.