Sew your way to health

Yes, you can sew, stitch, knit or embroider your way to health! Don’t laugh now, but I may have bumped into something that may actually extend your life and even cure some of your maladies. But before you quip, "Yeah, right!" read on first to understand why.

It all started when I bought a pair of jeans that were much too long for me. I couldn’t wear them for the longest time because for some reason or another, I never found time to bring them to the tailor for repair. One Sunday afternoon, with nothing to do, and armed only with the knowledge that my grandparents on my father’s side were haberdashers (yes, tailors!), I thought of doing the darn thing myself.

I took an old tarnished needle, a piece of thread, a pair of scissors, and started snipping away. When I got the desired length, I had to stitch the hems before finally folding and sewing them so that they won’t shred when machine-washed. (The last time I attempted something like this, I threw the pants in the washing machine and the hems came out desperately frayed through the folded sewing!)

Something Remarkable

No, I wasn’t miraculously cured of some disease while hem stitching, but something remarkable happened. When I first started doing the stitches, I was miffed with impatience because it seemed like it was going to take forever, and the thought of doing two hems (there are two legs to a pair of pants, right?) was just horrifying.

After doing a few successive stitches, I conditioned my mind that I had to finish the job or I would never get to wear the darn pants. Then, it happened. Slowly, I felt a relaxing peace within me. There was something hypnotic about the repetitive movement of stitching that sent me into some kind of hypnotic trance, oblivious to everything around me.

I started to get absorbed in the process and began to breathe slower and deeper. I felt a calming sense of inner tranquility that put me above my everyday cares and self-inflicted worries. The noise of children playing and even the ringing of my neighbor’s phone became muffled in decibels below my conscious hearing; they were almost silenced by this unique inner awareness that engulfed me.

As I worked my way through the entire length of each hem, the stitches wove their own hypnotic magic on me. I started to feel a certain high – a clear, focused wakefulness that was engaging, refreshing, and mystifying at the same time.

Meditating Away Stress

I was stunned and puzzled at what transpired. I never understood what had happened until I read an article about meditation. Dr. Herbert Benson, of the Harvard Medical School and director of the Hypertension Section of Boston’s Beth Israel Hospital, has shown in clinical studies that meditating for 10 to 20 minutes twice a day can remarkably improve one’s total health and well-being, minimize stress (today’s number one killer), and significantly lower high blood pressure. This affirms what eastern mystics and yogis have known and preached for many, many centuries.

It is important to note that what Dr. Benson terms "relaxation response" is not "meditation," as we commonly know it. It has nothing to do with concentrating on your navel, thinking profound thoughts about the universe, or deep spirituality. In fact, it means thinking about nothing. If possible, absolutely nothing at all.

A Clearing Of Extraneous Thoughts

What happened to me while stitching the hems of my blessed jeans was simply a minimizing or clearing of extraneous thoughts, preventing continuity of thought, especially dwelling on an idea, and mulling its ramifications. The rhythmic sewing was like a repetitive mantra (or "Hail Mary," if you wish) that held me captive, thinking about nothing else.

Our minds, day in and day out (and even while we sleep), are continuously filled with thoughts. Giving them rest by emptying thoughts through meditation relaxes and refreshes our minds, and the health benefits do manifest in our bodies. People who regularly meditate report that they are less stressed, sleep better, and stay calmer and happier. Meditation can enhance job satisfaction and even give you the courage to look for another if you are not truly happy with your job.

Meditative Sewing

A few years ago, there was some sort of rage that shook New York City. Men went into knitting as therapy to alleviate everyday stress and tension, even alleviate boredom. That made me raise an eyebrow, which I had to lower when I read that some famous male Hollywood stars were into cross-stitching and needlework. Meditative sewing must, indeed, work some magic.

Now, I understand why my mother was so addicted to crocheting. She made place mats, doilies, decorative covers for the piano, radio, and almost anything that needed draping. She must have been blissful while crocheting, emptying her mind of the hassles and frazzles of home life. Or could she have been planning things and visualizing her precious housewife dreams while working on the designs?

Ready to sew your way to mental refreshment, a calmer state, and lower blood pressure? Get your needles, threads, and knitting sticks ready, and know the other requirements. Make sure you stay in a comfortable position; don’t crouch or be tensed up in any way. Be sure you have good lighting and proper ventilation. You may play some soft, relaxing music if you wish. And oh, if you are male, be ready to laugh off some perplexed, raised eyebrows. Happy sewing!

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For your comments, e-mail deroseminar@yahoo.com. Stress, worry and tension fill our lives because we bring them unto ourselves. When problems and difficulties arise, make a conscious choice not to be stressed; figure out a solution instead.