For many, our days in art class are long behind us. Those macaroni necklaces, finger paintings and paper collages are now distant memories from childhood. As we grow older, responsibilities pile up and creative pursuits often fall by the wayside. But it might be time to rekindle your creative spark.

There’s growing evidence that picking up those scissors and crayons again could be surprisingly good for your mental health.

A 2024 study published in Frontiers found that adults who did at least one arts and crafts activity in the past year had higher levels of life satisfaction and happiness compared with those who did none.

The National Library of Medicine had similar findings, showing that arts and crafts can boost your mood, improve your well-being and raise your self-esteem.

Think of crafting as a workout for your brain. Instead of lifting dumbbells, you’re picking up paintbrushes. When you’re focused on creating, your mind gets a break from the constant stream of worries and to-do lists that fill our days, all while flexing your cognitive muscles.

Creative activities, like crafting, also release dopamine and serotonin, the feel-good chemicals, while simultaneously lowering cortisol, your stress hormone.

Plus, the opportunities to craft are endless: painting, knitting, scrapbooking, sculpting, sewing, coloring … the list goes on and on. If you’re unsure where to start, try a few different activities to see what clicks.

You also don’t need to be the next Picasso. Whether you’re knitting a slightly lopsided scarf or drawing a sunset that looks more like a blob, the act of creating is what counts.