According to the Mayo Clinic, "a distraction can get you away from the cycle of negative thoughts that feed anxiety and depression.  Doing something positive to manage anxiety is a healthy coping strategy." The Center for Disease Control states that "stress during an infectious disease outbreak can sometimes cause the following:

• Fear and worry about your health and the health of your loved ones, your financial situation or job, or loss of essential support services. 
• Changes in sleep or eating patterns.
• Difficulty sleeping or concentrating.
• The worsening of chronic health problems.
• The worsening of mental health conditions.
• Increased use of tobacco and/or alcohol and other substances

According to Marjorie M. Baker, MS Extension Associate Textiles and Clothing, "Handwork develops focus and concentration and builds the following skills and abilities:

• Following a process to complete a project
• Enhances critical thinking and math skills
• Builds hand/eye coordination
• Strengthens small motor skills
• Positively impacts self-esteem. 

Moreover, "Handwork" provides a means to promote healthy interpersonal relationships between adults and children. Studies show that young people are less likely to engage in risky behaviors when bonded to trusted adults.  Hobbies can help you relax, take your mind off worries, or fill extra time and save money as well by rediscovering old hobbies and using what you already have at home." It has been extremely important to learn needlework skills during this difficult time of the pandemic.  For good mental health, creating a peaceful environment and becoming grounded in a handwork project has become vital to many, especially the isolated and shut-in.   

To help alleviate stress and anxiety during the pandemic, Ronda Rex, Extension Agent for Family & Consumer Sciences Education, conducted a three-part program focusing on basic cross stitch on gingham fabric.  All three sessions were conducted via Zoom platform to 20 participants

The goals of this program were to teach the importance of learning new hand skills, recognizing the positive impact on mental health and money-saving skills.  Another goal of the program was to possibly help individuals and families make handmade gifts for their holiday gift exchanges to also help alleviate financial stress.  According to Kelly May and Jeanne Badgett, Senior Extension Associates for Family Finance and Resource Management and Clothing, Textiles and Household Equipment, "through increased financial knowledge, families may be able to make wise financial decisions, increase buying power, avoid overextended credit, develop savings habits, and manage risks."

Ronda first attended a Zoom class conducted by her Family & Consumer Sciences colleagues, Mary Hixson and Ruth Chowning, to learn more about the art of cross stitching on gingham and needlework in general.  Ronda also observed how her colleagues conducted a hand stitching class via Zoom platform.  She reached out to Jeanne Badgett, Senior Extension Associate for Clothing, Textiles, and Household Equipment, to make sure she was using the most updated version of the cross stitch publication.  Ronda also asked for additional University of Kentucky Extension approved patterns for future classes.  After practicing her needlework skills and Zoom presentation skills, she followed through with the class.  Registration went very well and soon Ronda had to create another class.  A mother and daughter could not attend either of the two classes because of the daughter's on-line school schedule, so Ronda set up a Zoom for the two to learn as a family.  Four people, who could not do Zoom, were mailed the supplies to complete their projects.  

During the class, Ronda used two different computers in order for the participants to see both Ronda and Ronda's hands demonstrating hand skills.  Ronda taught from the publication Cross Stitch on Gingham and demonstrated basic stitches.  Ronda also explained how to use key needlework tools and showed completed projects and examples.  She mailed her participants other UK Extension needlework publications and a publication on how to save money and relax by rediscovering hobbies. Jill Walch, Campbell County Administrative Staff Support, assisted Ronda with Zoom technical issues.   

End of sessions' evaluations revealed that 100% of the participants learned and practiced basic stitches on gingham fabric. 

60% percent of the participants completed a follow-up evaluation.  Those follow-up evaluations revealed the following:

• 100% have a better understanding of how hand stitching or taking up a hobby can help manage stress
• 50% of the participants completed their Patriot Heart project and sent Ronda photos
• 50% stated that they planned to complete their project
• 100% said that they now feel more confident to try another cross stitch project
• 92%  indicated this activity increased their critical thinking skills
• 92%  said that learning basic cross-stitch through a Zoom class was an effective learning experience. 
• The completed projects have an estimated dollar value of about $12.00 to $20.00 each  

One participant stated that they planned to make several of the projects for gifts to others.  Another participant sent the agent an e-mail two months after the program stating…." I didn't finish the project right away.   I got so busy at work that my project sat there for a couple of weeks.  Then, one evening, I was so stressed, tired, and upset that I needed something to take my mind off things.  I sat down to finish the project, and it calmed me down—my stress was gone!  It was amazing!  I really enjoyed doing this!  Thank you so much for having this class!  I learned a new skill and found a new technique for coping with stress!" 

Sources:

Marjorie M. Baker, MS Extension Associate Textiles and Clothing February 2005; revised July 2012 PASSING ON NEEDLEWORK SKILLS TO YOUNG PEOPLE

Kelly May, Senior Extension Associate for Family Finance and Resource Management, Save money and relax by rediscovering hobbies exclusive

Jeanne Badgett, Senior Extension Associate for Clothing, Textiles, and Household Equipment, Cross Stitch on Gingham and Save money and relax by rediscovering hobbies exclusive

Inna Pylyayeva e-mail testimonial

            Lori Smith with her project during the Zoom class.  This was her first Zoom class.  

Debbie Stidham's finished product.  Debbie took her project to a higher level.  She made four hearts and created this awesome pillow.