Creating Art Improves Your Mental Health, Study Says

The next time a craft video catches your eye on TikTok, you might want to pencil it in for your weekend plans. As it turns out, crafting can boost your mental wellbeing, according to a recent study published in Frontiers of Public Health. Examining more than 7,000 adults in the UK, the study explored how crafty activities affect various markers of wellness. The researchers found that arts and crafts can improve mental health, giving you the perfect excuse to channel your inner Martha Stewart.

Of course, it’s no secret that creative hobbies like crafting are beneficial for your mental health. But prior to this study, most of the research exploring crafts and wellness have involved people with diagnosed mental health issues. Meanwhile, other scientific studies have examined certain types of crafts or had smaller groups of participants. Not only does this recent study have a large sample size, but it also focuses on the general population, showing that getting creative is beneficial for everyone.

The Link Between Crafting and Mental Health

To understand the link between crafting and wellbeing, the researchers provided a list of activities, then asked participants if they engaged in at least one of them in the past year. The activities included fine art (like painting, drawing, and printmaking), photography, filmmaking, digital art, textile crafts (like embroidery and crocheting), wood turning, calligraphy, pottery, and jewelry making. For those who didn’t engage in any of these activities within the past 12 months, they selected “none of these.”

Next, the researchers asked the participants questions about their wellbeing. The results showed that arts and crafts is associated with higher levels of life satisfaction, happiness, and a sense that life is worthwhile. This may have profound benefits for wellness more generally, as these parameters have been linked to overall health and longevity.

Here’s What the Research Says

What’s the science behind this link, exactly? More studies are needed, but the researchers point out that creating lets you become totally immersed in the activity. This paves the way for higher levels of satisfaction, self-esteem, and self-expression, all of which support quality of life.

It’s important to note that the researchers also asked questions about anxiety and loneliness, but didn’t find a positive effect between crafting and these factors. In other words, crafting wasn’t linked to lower levels of anxiety and loneliness—but that’s not to say it won’t help you in either department. According to the researchers, these results might be due to the solitary nature of crafting, so it might be worth getting friends involved to make the activity more social.

How to Use Crafting to Boost Mental Health

Now, you don’t need to be a professional artist to reap the benefits of creating. In fact, you don’t even need to be good at a particular craft. The key is to simply engage in the activity and enjoy the experience of creating, regardless of the outcome. 

If you’re unsure where to start, know that there are plenty of resources for novice crafters. Check out social media for how-to videos or pick up a craft kit, which will have all the supplies and instructions you need. Looking for more hands-on guidance? Consider signing up for a craft class at your local pottery studio, fabric store, or library. Who knows—you might just find your new favorite hobby.