Why “Grandma Hobbies” Are Good For You

Here at ELVA Retreats we love getting stuck into a new creative project. Whether that’s starting a new blanket, baking scones using a passed-down recipe, or even dabbling with some oil painting, we enjoy getting lost in the moment of creating. And it looks like we’re not the only ones who do! The internet has even given this pleasure, the name “grandma hobbies.”

Grandma hobbies refers to a wide umbrella of activities. There are fabric and needle-based crafts such as sewing, knitting, crocheting, embroidery and felting; paper-based crafts like scrapbooking, drawing, painting and calligraphy; nature-based activities like bird-watching and gardening; kitchen projects like cooking, baking, pickling, bread-making; even activities like jigsaw puzzles and board games… It doesn’t really matter what the activity is as long as it involves your hands, deep focus, patience and, most importantly, time away from screens.

Grandma hobbies have a powerful effect on us because they can make us feel nostalgic, they encourage us to slow down and cultivate presence, they help give us the time to regain perspective on our lives and priorities. There’s also such a sense of achievement and pride in whatever wonky loaf of bread, glue-and-glitter spattered scrapbook page, or whatever unsymmetrical but perfectly unique cushion, we make. We took the time and the effort, and made it.

There’s also some science behind it too. The bilateral movement in knitting or kneading dough, the sensory input of soil or yarn, and the predictable rhythm all signal safety to our bodies. They activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps us rest and digest rather than stay in fight or flight. Knitting, in particular, has been linked to lowering cortisol as well as lowering anxiety and pain management. A lot of our favourite Grandma hobbies also help to keep our brains active and healthy, helping to slow down cognitive decline.

It’s not about ‘being good’ or ‘the best’ but just making something for the pure pleasure of making it.

At our Retreats, we always include a guided craft workshop. Previous workshops have included:

• watercolour painting
• giant arm-knitting blankets
• making macrame plant-holders
• wreath-making

We provide all the materials you will need and we’re there to provide assistance (and the all important tea and cake).

If you would like to come and join us at one of our upcoming retreats, you’ll join a like-minded group where you can relax and get lost in the fun of crafting. We would love to have you join us!