Creative activities boost mental health by increasing feelings of worth, happiness and satisfaction in life.
- Engaging in creative pursuits increases people’s sense of worth in life, their happiness and their life satisfaction, according to a new study.
- Art and crafts provide a greater sense of accomplishment than work.
- For researchers, the authorities should encourage the development of manual activities.
If you’re feeling anxious, depressed or stressed… grab a pencil, a paintbrush or even a screwdriver. A study, published in Frontiers in Public Healthshows that unleashing our creative spirit could improve mental health and well-being.
Doing arts and crafts boosts happiness
The scientists took part in a survey of 7,182 participants conducted by the UK Department for Culture, Media and Sport. The volunteers were asked to rate their feelings of happiness, anxiety and life satisfaction, and to give their impression of the value of life. They were also asked how often they felt lonely. They were also asked whether they had participated in any craft or artistic activities in the last 12 months.
When the scientists analyzed the responses, they found that crafters reported higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction. They also had a stronger sense that life was worthwhile than others.
“The impact of crafts and arts was greater than that of having a job. Not only do crafts give us a sense of accomplishment, they also provide a meaningful avenue for self-expression. This is not always the case when it comes to employment.”says lead author Dr Helen Keyes of Anglia Ruskin University.
“The effects on well-being were present even after taking into account things like employment status and level of deprivation. It seems that crafts can contribute positively to your well-being above and beyond these other aspects of your life.”adds the scientist.
Mental health: creative activities should be promoted
Dr Helen Keyes and her colleagues acknowledge that this was a correlational study and that further research will be needed to confirm the link between crafts and mental well-being.
But for them, there is no doubt: art, DIY and tinkering must be part of the general public’s daily life. “Governments and national health services could consider funding and promoting crafts, and even socially prescribing these activities to at-risk populations, as part of a promotion and prevention approach to well-being and mental health.”the expert believes in her press release.