Weave Yourself A Stronger Brain

Using your hands to work with fabric can actually improve your memory and brain function. And one type of fabric works better than others.

So if you’re worried about your memory and emotions as you age, grab a piece of velvet.

Italian researchers have shown that when older adults rub, fold and touch velvet over a period of a couple of months, their cognitive and emotional skills improve significantly. In the study, velvet worked better than rougher fabrics.

Why does this help? Nobody knows, but the scientists note: “One hypothesis is that individuals who work with soft materials remember a greater number of positive memories which, in turn, influences cognition and emotion regulation processes.”