Make Lemons Into Lemonade: #StitchAwayStress with the #CYClemondrop

Are you stressed out right now? Odds are, if you're like many of us, the answer is a resounding YES! Crocheting and knitting are wonderful ways to de-stress though, and since it's National Stress Awareness Month, the Craft Yarn Council is doing its best to get the word out - and you can help!

Confirmed by numerous studies and reports and personal stories from knitters and crocheters around the world, and highlighted in national and international press including recent New York Times article titled “The Health Benefits of Knitting”) and Yahoo!, CNN,Daily Mail and more, the stress-busting crafts are known to reduce blood pressure, decrease anxiety and stress, boost mood, increase mindfulness, elicit the relaxation response and much more. These remarkable health benefits are what triggered the non-profit Craft Yarn Council (CYC), a group responsible for sponsoring a wide range of educational programs, to start a health initiative and spread awareness about the positive effects these crafts bring through its Stitch Away Stress campaign and host the NYC Lemon Drop… Campaign for Stress Awareness on Tax Day.

On Monday, April 18^th people rushing last-minute to the James A. Farley Post Office Building in Manhattan to wait in line to mail their 2015 Tax Returns by the due date and filing deadline will be met with a sunny surprise and important message… knitting and crochet are good for you!

“Upon discovering all the studies out there that prove these crafts reduce stress and boost mood and hearing so many personal stories from knitters and crocheters on the topic, we felt it was important to draw more attention to the subject and help more people who are stressed out find a way to relax and feel happier,” said Craft Yarn Council Co-Executive Director, Mary Colucci. “Since April is National Stress Awareness Month and Tax Day is historically one of the most stressful days of the year for Americans, April 18^th seemed like the perfect day to stitch away stress.” If you will like more tips and even to buy products to relieve your stress and nourish your brain, Visit Island Now.

Those lucky enough to receive a lemon stress ball on April 18^th will not only have the chance to squeeze away stress on the spot, they will also have the opportunity to learn how to “stitch away stress” and join 85% of people who report stress reduction and 68% who report mood improvement from knitting and crochet, as seen in a recent research survey conducted by the CYC. Tags attached to the lemons will direct recipients to the website www.stitchawaystress.com where they can go to learn how to knit and crochet, download the free lemon stress ball pattern to make one themselves, explore all the health benefits of knitting and crochet and more. Those waiting in line may have the chance to learn a stitch or two from the knitters and crocheters handing out the lemons as well.

The 2,000+ lemon stress balls were all handmade by members of knitting and crochet guilds across the U.S. who wanted to be part of this health movement and give back through their beloved crafts. The pattern for the lemon stress ball was designed by Twinkie Chan, popular San Francisco-based crochet designer known for creating deliciously fun, food-themed accessories. The CYC partnered with Chan in April 2015 to launch its first Stitch Away Stress campaign and highlight the stress-reducing benefits of knitting and crochet during National Stress Awareness month.

 Here’s how you can get involved:

1. Make a lemon stress ball - download the crochet or knit version of the “when life gives you lemons” lemon stress ball pattern and start de-stressing as you make it!

2. Attach a tag to the lemon with a note that states what knitting/crochet does for you, how it makes you feel, why you picked up the craft, or just a happy word or two that will brighten someone's day!

3. “Drop it” to someone who may be stressed out or could use a dose of sunshine and a smile throughout the month and/or on one the most stressful days of the year, Tax Day, April 18^th!

4. And share it on social media! Post your lemon photo on social media along with the hashtags #stitchawaystress and#CYClemondrop

And Don't Forget!: Look for the CYC on the Today Show in NYC and share the news about the CYC being at the Today Show and handing out 2,000+ lemon stress balls at the Penn Station Post Office to help de-stress taxpayers on one of the most stressful days of the year, Tax Day! Share this post or the Craft Yarn Council's site to help spread the word!

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