Deemed by many as the yoga of the 21st century, knitting is widely known in its circle of yarn slingers as an ideal way to unplug from the world while also engaging the mind in an activity that requires concentration and a healthy dose of brain power. More portable than yoga (Downward-facing dog on an airplane much?), knitting is a great way to reduce stress and enjoy a creative project almost anytime or anywhere, even if you’re new to the knitting scene.

We Are Knitters co-founders, Alberto Bravo and Maria Jose Marin, have made getting hooked on the craft easier than ever. After visiting a friend in New York City nearly a decade ago, Bravo reflects on the first time he and Marin experienced a wool shop. With a multitude of colors and thicknesses, the yarns were special, indeed, and the act of knitting was everywhere. From inside cafes to what Bravo describes as their “aha moment” on the subway, they just couldn’t get the progressive image of “a girl knitting on the subway with gigantic needles and fluorescent yarn” out of their minds.

Fast forward to today, and We Are Knitters has made it possible for everyone to participate in the crocheting movement. With easy-to-identify knitting, crochet, petit point, and arm knitting kits labeled beginner (very easy), easy, intermediate, and advanced, everything you need to create the designated project arrives pre-measured and ready to go. Taking pride in turning novices into pros, We Are Knitters says every kit comes with “the appropriate amount and type of yarn you need, the corresponding needles, and a pattern with every necessary step.” Plus, there’s a helpful video tutorial section that explains all the techniques you’ll need.

Besides kits, We Are Knitters also stocks everything an avid crocheter could want. Individual balls of wool, sustainably forested knitting needles and crochet hooks, and free patterns and video tutorials.

As far as the yarns, many are animal-derived, however, Bravo ensures that they are all harvested in a cruelty-free, humane manner, “Our wool is 100 percent natural. Our animals are all bred in their natural habitat in the highlands of Peru. We did a small road trip this summer there and double checked that all the sheep and alpacas were treated and fed well and they didn’t suffer any harm.” In addition to regular wool, the shop also offers petite wool, baby alpaca, meriwool, meripaca, pima cotton, and fabric yarn.

Likely inspired by the girl’s neon subway medium, skein colors at We Are Knitters run the gamut. “We have a greater selection of atypical colors available, from bubblegum and turquoise to bordeaux and forest green,” says Bravo, the shop’s creative director and exclusive, seasonal color-picker. Whether it’s a chunky, coral cardigan or an aquamarine afghan you’ve always dreamed of creating, there’s easily a rainbow of yarn to choose from.

Knitting isn’t just a solitary activity, either. There are knitting parties, meetups, and groups that promote socialization and friendship, which, as adults, is always a good thing. Not only that, but as Bravo pointed out, many times “you don’t knit for yourself, but for others,” citing a selfless aspect about the craft, which can even develop into something philanthropic.  

Covered well in this The New York Times article, one of the many benefits shown to come from kitting include the ability to “induce a relaxed state like that associated with meditation and yoga” due to the “repetitive action of needlework.” And beyond the initial learning curve? In addition to boosting self-esteem, “knitting and crocheting can lower heart rate and blood pressure and reduce harmful blood levels of the stress hormone cortisol.”

Oh, and it seems we’re not the first to find out about this creative health and wellness resurgence. The Craft Yarn Council has been spreading the benefits of knitting like gospel to the 50 million plus people who already know how to knit. Understandably, as this art form does seem to facilitate some miraculous healing in the lives of many, ranging from aiding the elderly with arthritic hands, uplifting the moods of clinically depressed patients, and prompting a woman battling a severe eating disorder, Liat Gat, to claim “knitting saved my life” after finding greater purpose because of the craft.

More than just something to wear or warm yourself with, in the end, knitting is actually a great way to improve long-term cognitive function and de-stress, regardless of your age, sex, or knowledge level. With kits from We Are Knitters, that are as perfect to give as they are to receive, you’ll soon be crafting your way to a new level of contentment.

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The post This Kit Will Get You Hooked on the Health Benefits of Knitting appeared first on EcoSalon.

If this time of year drives you crazy, then you’re going to love these helpful ways to reduce stress and put you on the path to a happier holiday.

You have food to cook, shopping to do, a family that needs you, a career that demands you, presents to wrap, events to attend, and the list could go on and on. However, what’s often not at the top of the roster is how to deal with all of these obligations and reduce your overall stress levels. While we aren’t promising miracles, we do think that these proven methods will bring you some relief.

You probably know by now that exercise and meditation are proven ways to release endorphins and minimize stress, but sometimes when you’re in the thick of things working out and attempting to find your inner yogi can seem more like a curse than a blessing. Rather than having to psych yourself up to partake in sweating it out, we’ve rounded up a few ideas that won’t feel like an extra chore to add to your lengthy holiday to-do list.

Whether you have a few seconds, minutes, or hours, these ways to reduce stress are simple, enjoyable, and can be done before the holidays arrive.

1. Social Media Break

Don’t worry, it’s not forever, but a little break might do you some good. If you’re feeling defeated because Sally has already decorated her tree, prepped for Thanksgiving dinner, and is showing off her umpteenth handmade DIY project (that doesn’t look like it was slapped together by a 5-year-old), then you’re not alone.

According to anxiety.org, social media sites, and the addiction that often accompanies, has a real propensity to cause anxiety, depression, and stress. The “compare-and-despair factor,” as it’s so accurately called, conjures up feelings of self-consciousness and the need for perfectionism. You might be surprised at how much more productive you become, or that you have a few extra minutes to indulge in good book once you ditch the apps.

2. Hug Somebody

When I get stressed the last thing on my mind is taking the time to slow down and appreciate those closest to me. Bad, I know. But, according to Carnegie Mellon researchers, a hug a day can have tremendous health benefits.

Sharing a hug with someone delivers feelings of having greater social support, and thus reduces the risk of infections as a result of stress. The subsequent oxytocin release also promotes feelings of calmness, closeness, and intimacy. All things we could use a little more of during the holidays.

3. Avoid Alcohol

A glass of wine may seem like a good coping mechanism to deal with the curveballs life throws at you, especially during the holidays, but Psych Central discourages this sort of behavior, especially if you have a family history of alcoholism. High levels of stress may affect the quantity and frequency of your drinking, making it likely that you’ll consume much more than intended.

De-stress with teas like chamomile, peppermint, and kava, the last of which has a highly-researched and proven track record of combating anxiety. For additional drink options that will help put the brakes on feelings of stress, check out Natural Living Ideas for more suggestions.

4. Think Happy Thoughts

Don’t know about you, but I’m definitely guilty of stressing myself out. Not only do I live in the future or the past when I should be in the present, but I can get bogged down by negative self-talk in a jiffy. Although thinking happy thoughts may be an older, more widely-known technique for reducing stress, it’s importance never goes out of style.

Sometimes it’s easy to think up a happy thought on the fly, while other times our minds are so entrenched in the muddied patterns of negativity, that we couldn’t conjure up a cheerful sentiment if we tried. Luckily, Tiny Buddha has 20 thoughts that will help relieve depression and anxiety for when you just can’t even.

5. Nix the Politics

According to The Washington Post, “Americans cited ‘hearing about what the government or politicians are doing’ as the most frequent daily stressor on their lives.” Now that the election is over, magnify that by a thousand. Talking politics is treading on shaky ground, so we suggest avoiding it all together this holiday season.

While it’s important to exercise our First Amendment right, sometimes it’s okay to skip the political banter in favor of something more lighthearted. The last thing we need around the holidays is contention, and while you can’t guarantee that all of your relatives will follow suit, you can set the tone for your gathering by asking guests to refrain from discussing politics. And if they just can’t help themselves, then have a few ideas on hand to interject with and change the subject.

6. Get Lost

Whether it’s in a book, in the woods, while watching a funny movie, or conquering that craft project, the bottom line is: focus on something that brings you joy and less on the things that are causing your stress. Next to doing nothing and letting your mind recharge, getting lost in the process and letting your cares melt away is a great de-stressor. Even if it is only a temporary escape, it’s certainly a healthy one.

What do you think about our ways to reduce stress? Share your thoughts with us on the EcoSalon Facebook page!

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The post 6 Ways to Reduce Stress Before the Holidays (that Don’t Involve Exercise or Meditation) appeared first on EcoSalon.

If you try to stop worrying and find that you suck at it, there’s a good chance you suck at remembering things too.

You know those really calm, centered people who manage to stay that way no matter the chaos going on around them? Yeah, I’m totally not one of those people. I’m part of that super-charming subsection of the population who have more neuroses than money for therapy: high strung, wound like a top, and constantly checking for anvils. Sound familiar?

And just when you thought laid-back people already have it made, a new study from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York has revealed they also have a better memory than we neurotic folk. You know, not to give you something new to freak out about or anything.

Lead study author Sophia Frangou and her team measured the brain activity of 40 participants while they took a working memory test. Participants were asked to view a sequence of letters on a computer screen and point out when a current letter matched one from earlier in the sequence. Meanwhile, participants had their personality traits evaluated by completing a NEO-PI-R, which is a well-known psychology test that measures the five major personality types: neuroticism, extraversion, openness to experience, agreeableness and conscientiousness.

Researchers found that participants who showed high levels of neuroticism had slower neural connections—and therefore a suckier memory—than participants who were more conscientious.

“We found that people who are more neurotic, perhaps because they have the tendency to worry, were less efficient,” Frangou told the Smithsonian. On the flipside, participants who weren’t as easily distressed completed the task more quickly and with a higher rate of accuracy. (Show offs.)

For example, say you’re a train wreck (you know, like me) and you forget your grocery list. Deep down, you know you should stop worrying and take a breath—but instead, you act as if Armageddon has befallen you. There’s no way you’ll remember everything you had written down, which means your meal plan for the entire week is going to be in shambles, which means your half-assed meals are going to leave you tired and unable to focus, which means you’ll get fired, which means you’ll be so upset about getting fired you’ll get into a terrible car wreck on the way home and end up incinerated.

A chill person, on the other hand, would take all of this energy you’ve just wasted and use it toward practical things—like remembering what’s on their shopping list, cooking delicious gourmet meals on the regs, scoring a promotion, and saving a kitten from a tree on their way home to spend time with their equally-chill family. Of course, they’re so together they probably wouldn’t forget their shopping list in the first place… excuse me while I bathe with a toaster.

Even though the study was small, the links between neuroticism, conscientiousness and working memory were uber-strong. It will be interesting to see how the methodology applies on a larger scale, and how it might help the highly neurotic stop worrying so much. I only have one question: Where do I sign up?

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Worried woman image via Shutterstock

The post Why You Seriously Need to Stop Worrying (Like, Right Now) appeared first on EcoSalon.

While the holiday season should be about gratitude, peace, and time with family and friends, sometimes it can get the best of us. Deal shopping, endless marketing, countless holiday parties, and rushed holiday travel  can knock us off our feet. But with a few simple steps this holiday season you can take back the reigns.

Simplify your Holiday Season and Reduce Stress with these Minimalist Tips:

Get Organized

1. Create a holiday budget: List who you’ll be buying gifts for and how much you can afford to spend. This way you won’t go shopping clueless. Do some research to find out how much your potential gifts will cost. Make cuts where need be.

2. Set up a holiday wrapping center: Choose a part of the house to wrap presents in so that the entire house isn’t disheveled throughout December. If you’re sending holiday cards, write your cards in the same room.

Gift Giving

3. Cut back on kid gifts: Give the kids one meaningful, thoughtful gift rather than five smaller less important gifts.

4. Draw names for family gifts: If you have a couple of siblings, the costs can add up in no time. Consider drawing names from a hat for holiday gifts. The same is true for your office. Why not buy one gift that you think your office mate will actually like rather than a few less thoughtful gifts?

5. Give homemade gifts: I’ve gotten some of the most adorable homemade gifts over the years and they’re the ones I remember the most. Last year my friend gave me homemade pimento cheese in a mason jar–such a cute idea. Make the holidays your own with a signature homemade gift.

6. Host a cookie decorating party: My group of friends have a holiday cookie decorating party instead of exchanging gifts. Everyone makes a batch of sugar cookies and we all decorate them together. It’s a great reason to get together, sip on some vino, and enjoy each other’s company. And you get to take home some sugar cookie loot.

Cut Back

7. Create a paperless holiday card: It’s simpler than paper cards and so much more environmentally friendly.

8. Reuse gift wrap: Be careful opening presents so that you can reuse the wrap. Save any holiday gift bags that you receive. An entire portion of my closet is devoted to reused wrapping paper so I never have to kill a tree in the name of presentation.

9. Learn to say no: If you’re invited to a slew of holiday parties, don’t feel bad for saying no. Wouldn’t you rather enjoy a few of them than feel overwhelmed and bogged down having to attend too many? It’s okay to say no once in a while–your time is valuable.

10. Avoid travel: See family and friends during less hectic parts of the year. My husband and I stayed home for Christmas last year and I hate to admit it was one of the more relaxing holidays we’ve had. At the very least, if you’re married, simplify your holiday but not visiting both sets of parents.

11. Host a potluck: Instead of an over-the-top holiday party, have your friends over for a potluck. That way you don’t have to cook an entire meal because each guest will be playing a part.

Related on EcoSalon:
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Image: YO$HIMI

The post 11 Ways to Simplify This Holiday Season (P.S. You’ll Also Drastically Reduce Stress) appeared first on EcoSalon.

It may appear too good to be true, but your doctor could soon be prescribing dark chocolate to bust stress levels.

A clinical trial recently published by the Journal of Proteome Research details the study, which provides strong evidence that a daily consumption of 1.5 ounces of dark chocolate during a period of two weeks is sufficient to modify metabolic changes in stress hormones.

The clinical trial was performed on 30 human subjects who were classified into low and high anxiety traits using validated psychological questionnaires. Biological fluids (urine and blood plasma) were collected during three test days at the beginning, middle, and the end of the study.

While the study may very well be accurate, I was personally put off by the fact that the lead researcher, Sunil Kochhar, is employed by the Nestlé Research Center in Lausanne, Switzerland. I’m hoping that this study will be further explored by an outside research institution.

On the other hand, according to the August 2008 issue of Mayo Clinic Women’s HealthSource, dark chocolate contains flavonoids, a naturally occurring antioxidant also found in teas, red wine, and some fruits and vegetables. Flavonoids in dark chocolate have been associated with a beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system, and may lower bad low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels.

If you’d like to engage in a personal choco-study, consider purchasing Fair Trade and Endangered Species organic dark chocolate.

Image: va1berg

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