This month’s “Fast 5” features five ways to destress yourself with a hobby you already love — counted cross stitch!
Life in the 21st century is like trying to survive the ride on a never-ending Stress Escalator. And some days, it seems impossible to keep up. Just when it seems I might be getting ahead, someone or something usually turns up the speed!
You know, everyone is feeling it these days, and if the “paranoia pushers” among modern media outlets are right, there’s no end in sight. But, here at the Crossing, we like to think there are things that we can do to help ourselves destress. We prefer to take a thoughtful look at we’ve got close to hand to help us deal with the things that are sucking the joy out of our lives.
After all, isn’t it up to us, as savvy stitchers, to figure out how to gear down stressors in ways that don’t harm us or those we love? And OF COURSE here at the Crossing, we think that cross stitch is one of the very best ways to do that! So, here are five ideas for using our beloved hobby to destress. We hope you’ll forgive us if use a few of our favorite designs where they illuminate the point. 😻
1. Relax and Unwind with Canny Use of Color
As we’re sure you’ve experienced, colors can have a subtle yet profound effect on our bodies, our mindset, and our moods. In fact, it’s possible that you’ve already been exposed to color therapy. You might be using a green lamp to reduce chronic pain. And if you’re wearing “blue light” glasses or screen filter, you already know that it can reduce dry eyes and eye strain while using electronic devices. And haven’t we all felt that mental and energetic “uplift” from walking into a room with cheery yellows and bright oranges?
Well hey, that works with cross stitch too! Try choosing a design with colors that soothe and uplift your spirits gently, and let the pretty flosses work their stress-reducing magic!
2. Textile Therapy: One of the BEST, Least-Known Ways to Destress Yourself!
Okay, quick show of hands: How many of you wind embroidery floss onto bobbins as a way to relax? If this is you, then you’re already on to this awesome destressing tip!
Look, science has known since 2014 that mindfulness-based stress reduction programs can have a measurable effect on stress. But when you combine mindfulness techniques with your sense of touch, you’re definitely taking destressing to the next level.
Personally, I love the feel of most flosses when they slide through my fingers. There is such a range of subtle sensations available in the act of pulling floss through fabric. And you know, the different combinations have very different and distinct “feels” to them. Long-strand cotton feels different when it’s being stitched on jobelan rather than cotton. What’s more, silk flosses go EXTRA lush when you’re stabbing them into linen—and it’s just so relaxing!
What’s your favorite fiber to stitch with? Do you swear by long-strand cottons? Are you having a fling with super-luscious silks? Or maybe going WAY out there with fuzzy spun wool, or using linen floss to create a specific visual effect? OR — is there a new brand of embroidery floss you’re using these days that you’re excited about? Let us know in the comments!
3. Invoke a Cross Stitcher’s Superpower: Laser Focus!
If you didn’t realize yet that “laser focus” is one of a stitcher’s superpowers, allow us to enlighten you. As with sitting meditation, cross stitching asks the stitcher to narrow their attention to what is what is in their hands right now.
Focus on the needle as it pierces the fabric, and then the floss as it follows the needle through each hole. Make an X, then make another. Let other cares and concerns disappear as you lay down plain, simple Xs on cloth. Attend closely as colors bloom under the needle, one after the next, in perfect order.
Notice how your breathing rate slows down? Your heartbeat does, too. And science says this narrowing of attention down to what is in front of you is a very reliable and non-harmful way to control our human stress responses.
4. Do Something Over Which You Have Total Control: One of the Best Ways to Destress Yourself!
This tip is related to #3, except this one points out how stressful it is to feel out of control or disempowered in our daily lives. And cross stitch, my lovely Grimalkitties, is a fabulous antidote for that.
Who chooses the design to stitch? You do. Who decides whether or not to follow the designer’s floss brand or color suggestions? You, of course. Who gets to choose where to start the project—from the center, or a corner? Why, you again! Everything from the size needle you choose to the finishing at the end is under your control. And again, according to scientific research, establishing that “locus of control” has a notable impact on how calm we are, and by implication, how quickly we can destress when needed!
5. Managing Time
Okay, stop right here if you’re thinking that “time management” is more related to how much stress we have than as a way to DEstress. That is a little bit true if you’ve only been exposed to it under the cover of “getting an impossible amount of shit done in an hour so your boss/manager can feel better about their life choices.”
But that’s not what we’re on about, here at the Crossing. Here, we find that “better time management” happens whenever we’ve got at least one cross stitch project under our needles. I wrote about this aspect of “Parkinson’s Law” awhile back, and it still holds true:
That means, literally, that having a hobby is one sure way to keep “work” from just endlessly encroaching on our “relax and rejuvenate” time. And as I’ve been pointing out in this post, cross stitch is one of the best hobbies you can choose for that.
So, what’s a GREAT way to combat work’s never-ending encroachment into fun time? Cross stitch!
And is it one of the best, healthiest, most amazing ways to destress yourself? You bet it is!
As winter closes in it seems we’re all reaching for the stitching we put down last spring, and looking for a bit of comfort or sanity with an hour or two of textile therapy. 😍 If you like, share a photo of your progress with us in the comments — we’d love to see what you’re working on these days!
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