Is knitting a mindfulness based intervention for fidgeters | James McIntosh | TEDxKingsCollegeLondon
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 4 พ.ค. 2023
- NOTE FROM TED: While some viewers may find this helpful, as the speaker states please do not look to this talk for mental health advice. This talk only represents the speaker's personal views and understanding of knitting. We've flagged this talk because it falls outside the content guidelines TED gives TEDx organizers. TEDx events are independently organized by volunteers. The guidelines we give TEDx organizers are described in more detail here: storage.ted.com/tedx/manuals/t...
James McIntosh is a self-confessed fidgeter.
As someone who struggles to enjoy the present moment, on 5th March 2023 at King’s College London, James spoke about Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR).
Living in the present moment using traditional mindfulness-based interventions is impossible for someone with a brain that constantly runs at above 50MHz.
A world award-winning food writer, TV presenter in China and Global Ambassador for AGA cookers, James was living his dream.
That was until 2015, when he was confined to bed with what was diagnosed as a ‘moderately severe depressive episode’. A lost career, a failed company, panic attacks, low self-worth and esteem. Add into the mix the death of parents and suffering from homophobic and narcissistic abuse.
Was the answer to simply rebuild his life, one stitch at a time?
Enter the ancient craft of hand knitting. In his talk, James calls for the need for published academic research into hand knitting (which uses randomised controlled trials). His hypothesis: a mindful approach to hand knitting has similar benefits compared with the well established evidence base of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction. This will serve as a growing evidence base for interventions available for the concept of social prescribing. James McIntosh is a self-confessed fidgeter.
Living in the present moment using traditional mindfulness-based interventions is impossible for someone with a brain that constantly runs at 50MHz.
A world award-winning food writer, TV presenter in China and Global Ambassador for AGA cookers, James was living his dream.
That was until 2015, when he was confined to bed with what was diagnosed as a ‘moderately severe depressive episode’. A lost career, a failed company, panic attacks, low self-worth and esteem. Add into the mix the death of parents and suffering from homophobic and narcissistic abuse.
Was the answer to simply rebuild his life, one stitch at a time? This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx
As a longtime knitter, I know for a fact that knitting has saved a great many lives....of the people around me....
There is power in the silence and actions of those clicking needles, or so I believe.
Thank you James I agree with everything you say. Knitting takes you into a world away from life's stresses, it is a wonderful hobby. What makes me a little bit mad is when some people skit and make fun of people who knit. You know what I mean, old grannies etc. Well I have been knitting since I was three, my mother taught me the simple knit stitch. I still knit, it relaxes me, it is a wonderful therapy. Good luck James and thank you for your interesting talk. Ann (age 80) in South Australia.
Our grandmothers and mothers all knew that they could handle the world better behind a pair of knitting needles. We have begun to lose the essential crafts of the household and James gives a modern take on the psychological impact of simple, repetitive, manual tasks and their value to a fidgeter. Flow provides a deep place of human calm in a busy world and James' story will encourage everyone to knit one, pearl one for their mental health.
Thank you for your understanding
A wonderful talk on the very real benefits of knitting that can just as easily apply to crochet or sewing. I'm off to get my crochet out now...
Enjoy your crafting, thank you
A beautiful talk! Thank you James. Without knitting I don’t think I’d have got through the decades of narcissistic abuse and it’s wake of trauma encountered after during the healing process. I’m so pleased for you and what you’ve achieved, well done you! Love the pink jumper too! The old one you use to line hanging baskets, 😍
My pleasure and thank you for your kind comments. Narcissistic abuse is insidious, I know it well, however as I found, and spoke about in my TEDx talk was how the stitches I created held me together to know that I am worth something. And you are too. I'm so glad you like my jumper, the colour is called 'Glorious'. Keep knitting....
That was a fantastic talk, personal and passionate. What a lovely realisation, I hope it helps people.
Thank you
Makes you really think about the deeper meanings of things ! Great talk, Congratulations !
Thank you
A truly remarkable story James, inspiring how you found a release and embraced knitting as a means of recovery. You’ve cultivated a personal growth that anyone can access and achieve a priceless moment in the present.
Thank you for your encouragement
It hadn't occured to me before, but you're right. I knit to occupy not just my hands, but my mind as well. And when my mind is occupied by knitting there's no room in it for any bad thoughts and feelings. I've always known that knitting calms me, but you've shown me why that's the case. Thank you.
Thank you. I find that when I practice 'knititation' as I describe in my talk, that bad and negative feelings do come up, but I am able to process these easily as I knit. Each stitch helps me with my thoughts.
Listening while I'm knitting... I have a friend who is used to saying " I knit bcoz It calms me down"...
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@@luceliasouza742 I could not agree more!
Wow, such a powerful and eye-opening discussion on the benefits of knitting! Truly inspiring those of us to see more than just the creation of a garment but also creating a safe space to process our emotions. Well done and thank you for sharing your knowledge and vulnerability with all of us! ☺️
Thank you for your kind comments
This is an extremely enlightening talk, thank you so much James for your transparency and amazing story. I hope this talk is able to spread awareness about the different forms of mindfulness, and its importance in daily life!
Thank you very much for your kind comments.
Fantastic life experience thanks for sharing!
Thank you for your kind comment.
Such an enlightening video, thanks for sharing your story!
My pleasure
🎉 well done .
WOW, what a fabulously inspirational and enlightening talk. Well done, and thank you, James.
Thank you
Fantastic talk James, I think I need to start knitting!
Thank you