New research shows that engaging in arts and crafts is at least as good for your mental health as having a job.
According to scientists, creative activities strengthen people’s sense of purpose in life and increase their happiness and satisfaction with life.
The research, published in the journal Frontiers in Public Health, shows that unleashing our creative side can bring significant well-being benefits to everyone.
Lead author of the study, Dr Helen Keyes from Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge, said: ‘Crafting and other artistic activities were found to have a meaningful effect on predicting people’s sense of their lives being worth living.
‘The impact of the craft was indeed greater than the impact of having a job.
Creative activities boost people’s sense of worth in life and their happiness and satisfaction with life, scientists say (stock photo)
Lead researcher Dr Helen Keyes from Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge (pictured) said: ‘Crafting and other artistic activities showed a meaningful effect in predicting people’s sense of their lives being worth living.
‘Not only does crafting give us a sense of accomplishment, it is also a meaningful route to self-expression. This is not always the case with work.’
The researchers analysed a sample of 7,182 participants from the annual Taking Part survey conducted by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport. This survey assesses audience engagement with cultural, digital and sporting activities.
The sample allowed the team to investigate the impact of creative arts in general, rather than specific crafts.
All participants were asked to rate their feelings of happiness, anxiety and life satisfaction – and to give their impression of whether life is worth living. They were also asked how often they felt lonely.
When asked about their involvement in crafts, 37.4 percent of respondents indicated that they had participated in at least one craft activity in the past 12 months.
People who did arts and crafts reported greater happiness and satisfaction with their lives, and a stronger sense that life was worth living.
According to Dr Keyes, the improvement in respondents’ sense of life being worth living was as “significant” as having a job.
She added: ‘It’s absolutely immensely satisfying to see the results of your work unfold before your eyes.
“It feels great to focus on one task and keep your mind creatively occupied.”