I don’t know about you, but lately, it feels like the world is constantly telling me to be anxious. With the endless noise of daily life and the pressure to be productive, it’s easy to feel completely worn out. It’s no wonder our brains are always on alert, running on what’s known as the “fight or flight” response.
While this response is essential for keeping us safe, when our brains get stuck in this mode for too long, it’s exhausting. We get flooded with stress hormones, and we desperately need a way to hit the reset button.
Tapping into “Rest and Digest”
That’s where the other side of our nervous system comes in: the “rest and digest” response. This is our body’s natural way of recovering. It’s what helps us calm down, heal from stress, and feel good. The more we practice getting into this mode, the better we get at accessing it when we need it most.
My background as a social worker in a hospital setting taught me firsthand how a constant state of anxiety can impact our lives. It showed me how important it is to have healthy, effective ways to cope. That’s exactly what I found in my sewing machine.
Your Sewing Machine: A Flow State Tool
When I sit down to sew, I’m forced to turn off the worry for a while. You can’t rush a seam or ignore a snag; the machine just won’t let you. This forces you to slow down, take a breath, and focus on the project right in front of you.
The rhythmic hum of the machine, the tactile sensation of guiding fabric, and the visual feedback of a developing stitch all combine to anchor your attention in the present. This deliberate, step-by-step engagement calms the mental chatter, creating a soothing loop of focused activity. This is how I find a flow state where the rest of the world just fades away.
Turns out, this isn’t just a feeling—it’s how your brain works. The act of sewing activates your “rest and digest” response, giving your mind a place to put worry on the back burner and recover.
Every time we step into our creative space, we are training our minds to identify the difference between stress and peace. The more we practice it, the easier it becomes to find our flow and renew our minds so we can face the next challenge when it comes. Sewing is a rest and a respite, and it’s a powerful tool to help you be the best version of yourself.
Finding Your Optimal Flow
Now, I know what some of you might be thinking: ‘Stressful? Restful? Sometimes learning a new sewing technique feels like the opposite of calm!’ And you’re absolutely right. Both the restful, meditative stitching and the focused, problem-solving challenge can serve a vital purpose in moving your practice forward and building resilience.
The key lies in truly listening to what your body and mind need. Pick a project that genuinely reflects your current skill level, and then continually check in with yourself, allowing your intuition to guide you towards what feels genuinely good and restorative for you.