Among the many ways to “age well” is with sewing. Whether the senior in your life owns a sewing machine or has expressed interest in taking classes, the activity offers a variety of outstanding benefits. Review the benefits below before visiting the local craft store with your older loved one.

4 Ways Sewing Machine Activities Benefit Seniors

1. Stimulates The Brain & Encourages Creativity

Using a sewing machine or stitching fabric by hand both require intense concentration, especially if one is learning how to sew for the first time. It also promotes creativity since sewing requires choosing fabrics, determining stitch type, thinking about the size and shape of the final result, and selecting what projects to work on next. All of these activities keep aging brains active and healthy to reduce the risk of diseases such as Alzheimer’s.

2. Maintains Motor Skills

Maintaining or improving eye-hand coordination with a sewing machine helps seniors keep their motor skills in check. Any type of physical activity benefits seniors because they become less likely to suffer balance and coordination-related falls. It also prevents joint stiffness and muscle loss, boosts immunity and healing functions, and may lower the risk of diabetes and cancer.

3. Relieves Stress

The repetitive motions and serious concentration sewing machine use requires allows seniors to forget everything else and live in the moment. It helps control their breathing so they immediately start feeling calm. Sewing also offers a healthy alternative to detrimental stress relief habits such as smoking cigarettes and drinking too much alcohol.

4. Improves Self-Esteem

Sewing provides a sense of accomplishment when each project ends, resulting in pride in the completed work. This often improves the self-esteem of seniors as they see their improvement from one project to the next and enjoy the reactions of friends and family who receive their work as gifts. Boosts in self-esteem can also help seniors become more social because they have the confidence to join sewing circles, take classes, or display their projects at local art shows and community festivals. 

If this rewarding activity sounds perfect for your aging loved one, visit Dothan Sewing Center together to purchase a new sewing machine or choose from a beautiful selection of fabrics and related accessories. The craft store also offers machine repairs as well as sewing and embroidery classes for affordable prices. Call (334) 794-3177 today for a product estimate or learn about fabric and accessory options online. Get the latest event news on Facebook.