Health Issues Caused By Knitting and Crocheting and How to Fix Them.

We have probably heard and read enough about the health benefits of crocheting and knitting. It is indeed considered as one of the best therapies for treating anxiety, depression etc. Despite being Beneficial and fun at the same time, Crocheting and knitting can cause some health concerns that need to be looked into. No work comes easy and every time we work we put a part of ourselves into it. It is hence, important to be healthy enough to cherish the work we love a little while longer.

The health hazards caused by these two most loved hobbies include:

1.       Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

2.       Back Ache

3.       Neck Pain

4.       Strained eyes.

5.       Weight gain.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome:

Crocheting and knitting is basically the work of your hands and wrists. So they are going to be affected the most. If you are a regular crocheter or knitter you may have complained about pain, numbness, dull aching of fingers and wrists. It is caused by those regular hand movements and in some the condition persists and may cause carpal tunnel syndrome or repetitive strain injury. If you are in a crochet business, it is important for you to take care of your selves and those skillful hands so as to be in business.

What to do? 

Take regular breaks while crocheting or knitting. Put down those needle or hooks. Relax your hands and arms. There are many Stretching Exercises for Preventing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Hand Exercises for Crocheters. Click on these links to view them.

Neck Pain:

Working on some crocheted or knitted projects require you to look down or bend your neck for long periods of time. As a result a sore neck is developed. A stiff, painful and discomfort is not liked by anyone.

Back ache:

Another issue related to working as a crocheter or knitter is the back ache. Sitting for prolonged periods of time and in a bad posture can lead to a bad back pain. If not prevented and treated at the right time and properly, it can cause more serious issue to a persons health.

How to deal with neck and back pain?

1.       Practice a good posture.

2.       Make sure you are seated on a comfortable chair with a good back support.

3.       Make sure your knees are placed slightly higher than your hips. (your legs should be hanging off the chair) use a foot stool if necessary.

4.       Do not slouch while you sit.

5.       If you feel some stiffness in your bones, move around a bit. Stretch and relieve tension in your body.

6.       Roll your shoulders to loosen them.

7.       As a precaution or health measure, incorporate some light stretching exercises in your schedule.

8.       Make a point to move around and do something else after every hour or so.

Strain in Eyes:

Keeping your eyes focused on some point for a long time may tire them or may cause headache. A beautiful crochet product will definitely require a great deal of hard work and focus, but not at the cost of your eyes.

Make sure you use a good lighting in your craft room. Again, shift your focus in a while to something else.  Close your eyes for few seconds at intervals.

Weight Gain:

Crocheting and knitting are sedentary activities. You put your favorite music on, take a good place on a couch with a delicious snack by you side; an ideal way to work? Well, no! Sitting for a long time and no exercise will surely help build more fat under your skin, thus, leading to weight gain. The more energetic you are, the more better. Also moving your limbs will surely help in letting those creative juices flow.

If you can’t bring yourself to exercise, try to walk briskly for 20 to 30 minutes daily. Keep yourself hydrated and avoid the junk and unhealthy food.

I hope that this article about Health Issues Caused by Knitting and Crocheting and How to Fix Them was good enough to spread the awareness. Keep yourselves strong and healthy and enjoy a lifetime of crocheting and knitting. 

Comment your views.

Share it with your creative community.

Don’t forget to pin it.

Reference: Petals to Picots

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7 Ways To Boost Your Immune System During Winter!

We are a week into chillai Kalan (the harsh winter period) and the weather is terribly cold. We’re are all coughing and sniffing and add the regular power cuts to the winter woes. No one would like to fall sick and have common cold at any cost. To avoid the horribly stuffy nose we need to boost our Immune system. So, instead of staying away from sick friends, boot your immune system and brace up the odds. We cannot entirely avoid it, but hey, we can follow some super easy routines and find how best we can keep away from it.

1.       Avoid Stress.

Enjoy life. Relax, laugh and avoid negativity. Stress and depression can weaken your immune system and make you susceptible to infections. We can’t control the factors that bring in stress in our lives but can control how we react to them! Let go of the things that are bothering you and pay attention to the ones that bring you joy. Take everything positively. This is easier said than done but with great motivation we achieve do anything.

2.       Eat balanced Diet.

Take care of what you eat and how healthy it is. You need vitamins and minerals to support your immune system. Focus on eating whole foods such as animal proteins( not to mention that to a Kashmiri, our meals are incomplete without them) legumes, whole grains, nuts and seeds as well as fresh fruits and salads.

Avoid processed foods and foods with artificial sweeteners. Such foods suppress immune system.

3.       Take antioxidants.

Apart from taking balanced diet, take sufficient amount of vitamin C. Find out foods rich in vitamin C and include them in daily routine. Do not just cram them in when you have hand not any since few months. That will surely give you a bout of cold. This one must be planned ahead but even if you have not planned it, you got to take them.

You can find these vitamins in foods like Broccoli, Almond Nuts, and any Citrus foods.

4.       Get enough sleep.

Get 7 to 8 hours of sleep a day. Make sure you do not waste your precious time on social media and watching Netflix, a good amount of sleep is highly recommended for healthy body and mind. Again it doesn’t mean you sleep at odd times. Rest your biological clock (natural cycle). It can get hard first but you will get this routine in few days. Listening to your body is important.

5.       Move those limbs!

A regular exercise routine keeps the sickness away. Workout will keep the flu away and help your Immune system to get strong. It relaxes the body and mind.

I do not mean you to do heavy cardio and overdo it, just simple and easy exercises, that will let you move your body enough to keep it healthy. If you can do even that, than take a brisk walk for 20 to 30 minutes everyday!

6.       Soak up some sunlight.

Winter is no reason to stay indoors (wearing Pheran and hugging Kangri) instead, go out and soak up some sunshine. Sunlight is a great source of Vitamin D, it not only helps your immune system but also helps your nails and hair grow.

Try to go out few times a week into the sun and get a vitamin D recharge.

7.       Drink plenty of clean water.

Winter or not, staying hydrated is one of the best things you can do for your health. It helps in production of lymph which carried white blood cells throughout our body. And hence, fights bacteria and infection causing germs.

You can add some lemon to it and boost it a bit more.

You can also take Lassi (made from curd and water). It keeps your body hydrated too.

How do you avoid the dreaded common cold? Let us know in the comments section below… 

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I will see you in the nest post.

Bye!

2018 - How To Make Time For Yourself.

Guys 2017 is finally coming to an end. As for me, it doesn't matter, the days are all same, we all are same. It just instead of 7 we are going to use 8 now. We continue to struggle, to survive. Its just that time of the year when most of us make new resolutions, become positive (suddenly) about all the things that are weighing us down.  We make goals and plans for the year. We do follow some of them for some time of-course. And normally majority of us fail. But there is something that should not only be a new-Year's resolution (meant for later to be forgotten about) but a resolution for all our days. Beginning today. Why wait for January 1 at all.

Folks I'm talking about "YOU" , "YOURSELF"!

We may make many goals and give up on them but this is not the thing to be given up about. "YOU" is magical and spectacular. Putting "YOU" on top priority will make your all days amazing. Coming days make more time for yourself. This goal, this resolution is needed by us, by all of us.

I do not mean that this should be your only goal. You make all the hell of the goals again, set your plans and mess them up again. But do not mess with this one. Make this a priority. We must not forget ourselves in the process of surviving 2018.

So how can you make more time for yourself?

1. Meditate.

Put everything aside. Switch off that phone. (Probably put it inside the wardrobe and lock it, LOL) Find a li'l calm place at your home. Bring in the things that sooth your heart and mind. Pray if it is the time to pray. Remember your Lord. Meditate, craft, paint, do whatever that will heal you. Just breath.

No one's watching, you don't have to be act. Be YOU for YOU. Enjoy your own company.

2. Treat yourself.

Are you purchasing gifts for your loved ones quiet often? Buy yourself one too. Go out, you don't always need friends. Shop, eat, spend on yourself. Go to that thrifty saloon (help yourself). Go for a manicure. Just love yourself.

3. Read a Book.

Reading has a calming effect on our brain. For a moment you are out of the reality. It is very relaxing. There is just something about a cup of a coffee and a good book (not to mention the sound of the rain (if it is raining)). By the end of it you should enjoy it.

4. Enjoy the nature.

Look at the things around you. Look at the Gods creation. I never tire looking at the endless and vast sky. The perfect blue. Listen to the birds. Wake up early and feel the freshness in air. See how flowers are smiling at you. Look at the shapes of clouds. The sound of the rain, the depth of the snow, all cherish the heart. And if you are a Kashmiri, There is only beauty!

5. Exercise.

Yes! Positively! You read it right, Exercise! It is a natural anti-depressant. A life full of stress, why not pic some 20 minutes to wash that stress off of yourself. You don't deserve to be stressful. If you can, hit  gym. Go for swimming. Walk a mile. There are plenty of ways you can help your body and mind to stay healthy.

There are many ways to make a time for yourself. You just have to put a lil "ME TIME" in your schedule on a top priority. In 2018, make the difference, feel the difference.
Mention your thoughts in the comments. I would love to listen to all of them

If you found this article helpful, share it.
Bye.

How To Get Stuff Done?

Hi guys!

I hope you enjoy reading my blog posts as much a s I love posting them. The topic that I chose for today is "HOW TO GET STUFF DONE?" Well, it is the most coldest time of the year so many of you like me, prefer to stay indoors with "Pheran" and "Kangri". Moreover the days too are very short which means very little time to get all the things done. I have found that most of the days I am not able to complete with all the tasks that I have to do and makes me wonder all the time if it is me who is getting lazy or is it the time, that is running short. Basically it is both and add the intense below zero temperature to it.

However, I have listed some good key points that might help me and you to get through this winter and the stuff that needs to be done.

Read along.

1. Motivation

Why? Obviously!

The first and foremost step to get anything done is the right motivation. Find it! And it is present everywhere; internet, blogs, books, magazines, friends, family, anywhere, everywhere. 

Let the power of this motivation drive you with full energy to get your stuff done.

2. List-it

I know right! There is a huge bunch of things that need to be sorted out and you don't know how and where to start. Well, Grab a notebook or a diary and make a list of all the tasks that you have to do. Make lists of all the things and of all sorts that are feasible to you. Start with the task that has the highest priority. Mark the ones that you have done. Make sub-lists of the tasks that are composed of many sub tasks. For example: If one of the larger tasks you want to conquer is cleaning your room, make another list of specific tasks. This would include vacuuming, re-organizing your makeup, and getting rid of junk.

3. Do it

To get anything done, you got to do it. Come out of your warm and cozy cocoon and grab the tools that are required to get the stuff done. How else are you going to do it, it you are not doing it? Does that make sense? 

Okay, start with the smallest tasks that require the least amount of your time. This will make your list a lot little and will make you feel accomplished. Your motivation will also surge. Use this motivation to tackle the bigger tasks that require greater efforts.

4. Finish it off!

Once you have finished everything on the TO-DO list, check them all and share with your friends and family. That is you moment of accomplishment! 

Take your time, enjoy and make more lists. 

Well, work is a never ending thing. 

Was this article helpful? Share with us your ways of how to get stuff done. what do you do to keep yourself motivated? How do you feel when you are done with your Stuff?

Bye friends!

P.S. Don't forget to pin and share. 

10 Great Tips For Crafters

Hi everyone. Today I'll be sharing some tips and tricks that I have picked up over the years of crafting with my fellow crafters. It doesn't matter if you are an experienced crafter of not, this list has something for everyone, hopefully.

These tips are lifesaving and I considered them as "crafters Good Habits" 

Okay, let's start.

1. Use velcro Strips to stop your rugs from moving. We do have those rugs at home that we have to cautious about while stepping on them. They tend to move and slip from their place. The solution is, do not affix whole carpet to the floor, rather affix a strip of velcro to both floor and carpet and join them together. 

It helps, you can do your cleaning in much better way.

Wish I had known this before we pasted whole of our carpet on our marble floor!

2. Use dry tea bags to get rid of bad odour from your smelly shoes. Simply place the dry tea bags in the shoes and take them out when you have to wear them. 

3. Wash your paint brushes with the hair conditioner. Soak them for few minuted in hair conditioner and wash with luke warm water. I love this one because I have a habit to let the paint dry on the paint brushes until it becomes hard.

4. Smooth out the creased ribbons with the help of hot light bulb. I stuff all my ribbon scraps in a big jar so will have to try this quick technique.

5. Is your scissor blunt and doesn't work properly? simply sharpen it by cutting the sandpaper. This totally works and keeps your scissors in better shape

6. For all the lazy crafters out there  press small pieces of fabric with a hair straightener rather than getting the ironing board out.

7. So you love candle making?  Are you tired of trying to clean surfaces with wax scraps? I have a trick for that too. Carefully pour just boiled water onto wax scraps left in glass candle containers. Leave to cool and the wax will come free from the jar. Use the wax scraps to make more candles using this DIY!

8. Pick up seed beads and glitter mess with a lint roller. crafters have a habit to spill almost everything and those beads are messy to work with and they never behave. Getting them on a lint roller is so helpful.

9.  Use a teapot as a thrifty alternative to a yarn bowl and place your yarn at one place! Make sure your teapot is clean and dry though! Put the yarn ball in the teapot and pull the free end from the nose of the pot. 

10. Sharpen craft punches by punching tin foil. Clever eh?! There is a way to sharpen those punches too. 

If you have any crafting tip to share please comment below. I would love to increase this list and learn from you people. Share your habits here....

Don't forget to share and pin this post.

Byee!!

Grow Your Business With These 10 Tips For Photographing Your Crafts.

Your photographs represent your brand. Yes you are creative, you are talented and you can have a beautiful business growth. But if you are not putting you best foot forward in photographing your handmade treasures you are harming your business more than you are doing good.

A beautiful picture has a greater impact on the minds of your prospecting customers. Your pictures speak volumes of how efficient you are. A bad picture may put off a person and a good picture will earn you benefits. You may wonder that you are not a photographer and do not have a great camera or props to style your pictures, worry not! I have compiled some tips for my lovely readers for photographing their crafts.  I have picked up these tricks over the years of my blogging and have figured out what works best.

1. Keep it natural.

The natural sunlight is best for any picture to stand out. I do not mean to picture your item in scorching sun but use the natural light. Natural sunlight will always give you best photo no matter what camera you use. Indoor pictures with artificial and dim lights may put yellow cast on the picture or may make look your product look lifeless. The colors too don’t look good.

2. Keep it indirect.

Again I don’t say the item has to be in sun, in direct sun too the picture will look less appeling. You got to be indirect.  As long as natural light is hitting your item, you are in good position to capture a beautiful picture. I actually take most of my photos for use here on the blog and in my crochet patterns on the floor of our verandah.

Work with what you’ve got, I say!

3. Use lights if needed.

If you are working late in night and cant photograph in sunlight than you can use a lighting kit or the light in the room must be very bright so that picture will look good. Dim light will make your picture look bad. Also the source of light must not be angled at any position and no shadows must be cast on the item.

4. Photograph with more than one camera.

If you can, and if you have then why not experiment with various cameras and make sure which one works best. Whatever works good, use that.

5. Take multiple photos.

Never be satisfied with just one picture. Always take multiple shots in different angles and positions at varying distances. Sometimes the photos I end up using in a blog post or on my Pinterest account are the photos I thought wouldn’t turn out well at all.

You do take many selfies before you are satisfied with one so why not with your product. Remember it speaks volumes about your business.

6. Use a backdrop.

Backdrops or backgrounds are essential for any picture to stand out. You don’t need any fancy charms or ornaments. Use what you have.

Keep your background simple and minimal. Don’t overcrowd with things that may deviate the attention from the subject. If you can’t purchase a professional backdrop than you can always use a white sheet, your marble or wood flooring. Or maybe a simple cement surface. All looks good with good light and good angle. Don’t use colorful and patterned surfaces of quilts or blanket.  

7. Stage, stage, stage!

How you stage (place) your items makes all the difference. For example, if you are selling a jewelry than take picture while wearing them but take care of your messy hair and make sure you look good. selling crochet mitts? Take pictures while wearing them and while not. Do try to make a difference. See how they ( big giant bloggers and crafters) do it. Take inspiration from there.

Try to showcase all aspects of your product. Color, size, style etc.

8. Use Props.

When you take a picture of your product, use any good props like flowers, leaves, charms etc that will make your picture look better. But don’t overdo it. For example if you are selling a blanket, drape it around a chair. Put a coffee cup near it or some magazines may be. The look and feel will make people feel good about it.

9. Use a free online/offline photo editing tool.

Use any free online or offline photo editing tool. You can use photoshop if you are well versed with technology. Otherwise picas works fine for offline editing. Canva or picmoney are best online editing tools. Play store too offers various photo editing tools. You can adjust brightness, contrast, shadows and highlights in these editing tools. Just don’t use any dramatic effects as a professional doesn’t do that. Don’t unnecessarily blur or vignette your pictures. That is for kids, you know!

10. Use your logo!

I can not stress the importance of using a watermark or at least adding your name to the photos you post online. If you make gorgeous items (which of course you do!) those images will be shared. Once they are, it is out of your control. At least give people seeing it a way to find you if they see that shared photo on Facebook.  Canva has a great text tool that you can fade out to create a watermark on your photos – and for free!

If i have missed any tip, kindly mention in comments.

I hope this piece of article was helful to you.

Benefits of being crafty

We all have our hobbies. The things we indulge in after a long, tiring day at work. Haven't you noticed yet that they are so relaxing? If you don't have any hobby, try to find one for yourself and make it a habit to work on it often.

Whether you are a crocheter, a painter or an embroiderer, being crafty can benefit your mind and body. Research shows that being crafty can have health benefits.

If you have kids than you should encourage kids to be more creative and imaginative as crafts do have so many developmental benefits for children too.

      Keep reading, I have jotted them all.      

1. Reduces Stress.

The repetitive motions of a craft like sewing or knitting can produce a calming effect which is almost equivalent to meditation.

2. Reduces Anxiety.

The anxiety disorders are on rise. Being crafty can help improve the condition of a person suffering from anxiety.  Repetitive and constant motions of crafts develop a rhythm and this rhythm can help people with anxiety disorders.
 

Knitting therapist Betsan Corkhill surveyed 3454 knitters and more than half of them said they felt very happy after knitting. Many of them stated that they knitted specifically for relaxation and stress relief, and those who knitted more frequently reported more mental and emotional relief than those who did it less frequently - they reported feeling calmer, happier, less sad, less anxious and more confident.

Source: davidwolfe.com 

3. Improves Problem Solving and Mindfulness. 

Doing stuff together with friends can aid in mind and brain wellness. It improves the capabilities of problem solving and attentiveness. Moreover being crafty helps in development of hand-eye coordination.

4. Sense of Achievement.

Being crafty can also give you a sense of pride and achievement. It can boost ones mood, induce happiness and increases persons self-esteem, patience and perseverance.

5. Helps People with Eating Disorders.

A small study performed in Canada focused on people with Anorexia Nervosa. Many of these women were given free knitting lessons and a research was conducted that showed [and many of them agreed] that taking lessons reduced their fears of eating.

6. Prevents Your Brain From Ageing Quicker.

This may seem weird but when we are being creative, our brains release dopamine, which is natural anti-depressant. Studies shows that crafting activities help in delaying brain aging by reducing stress and improving mindfulness. Creative activities even help in alleviating depression.

7.  Has developmental benefits for children.

Developing creativity in children provides a stable foundation for future learning. Helps children with their confidence and self-esteem. Its something that they don't have to about grades and can express themselves in best possible manner.

Psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi said this during a TED talk in 2004
" When we are involved in creativity we feel that we are living more fully than during the rest of life. You know that what you need to do is possible to do, even though difficult, and sense of time disappears. you forget yourself. you feel part of something larger."

Source: countryliving.com

As a child I have always been into crafts. As an adult I blog about them. I can tell you by personal experience that, it works. I have too many hobbies and I enjoy each one of them. As a matter of fact I never get bored.  Being bored is not in my dictionary. [Because it is being crafty, always].

Think about something you would love to invest your time into. Maybe it is crocheting, Sketching or even cooking. Doesn't it always make you feel great? Doesn't it de-stress you? Don't you get happy? Well, than what are you thinking? Wanna try crocheting?