You know that quilting makes you feel good, but now there’s scientific evidence to back up what you’ve always suspected: Not only does it make you happy, it’s actually good for your health. Researchers from the University of Glasgow published their findings in the peer-reviewed journal Public Health Journal after conducting qualitative research using a local mulch group as a source. Did the end work? “Padding appeared to possess some distinct well-being-enhancing properties that would not be replicable through physical/outdoor activity.” In other words, that’s dry research lingo to say that padding gives you a workout you won’t find at your local step class.
The biggest benefit? When you’re happy and doing something you love, your brain is saturated with dopamine and serotonin, also known as happy chemicals, especially when you’re doing “meaningful work” with your hands. According to Kelly Lambert, PhD and a member of Randolph-Macon College’s department of neuroscience, padding perfectly complements these conditions.
get healthy and an awesome quilt
Next on the list of health benefits is a decrease in stress levels. Dr. Lambert says that quilting “feels a sense of accomplishment that increases your ‘reward chemicals’ and decreases chemicals related to stress or anxiety.” Of course, lower stress levels are linked to a variety of good things, from a lower risk of heart attack and stroke to a lower amount of body fat. In a time when stress levels are skyrocketing for most people, who wouldn’t benefit from a little mindfulness cultivation?
If you’re more into quantitative tests, a clinical psychologist published research in the Journal of the American Medical Association showing evidence that padding leads to a decrease in blood pressure, heart rate and respiration. Finally, according to Harvard neurologist Marie Pasinski, MD, padding is soothing to the brain. The Glasgow research echoes these sentiments, with participants saying quilting was a (relatively) easy way to get creative, and using different colors and textures gave them a “feeling of well-being.”
straight from the source
Participants from Glasgow specifically mentioned, over and over again, bright colors and how they lifted their mood, particularly during those dreary British winters. Most of the group also said there was something captivating about the padding and they went into a flow, much like a runner’s high. It’s relaxing and, at least for a while, your anxieties took a backseat. However, quilting also requires problem-solving skills, such as when new patterns and shapes are required. From newbies to quilt masters, everyone said that at some point they always find a new challenge.
Finally, getting that tangible end result is a built-in reward that offers a lot of satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment. During the social aspect of quilting as a group, the women said they felt inspired and that all those compliments don’t hurt when it comes to boosting their self-esteem. Quilting is “exceptionally good for you,” the researchers concluded, a sentiment that’s obvious to quilters, but it’s pretty rushed to get a nod from academia (sort of like nailing that block pattern on your first try).
