Scientists from Anglia Ruskin University used data from a major national survey to investigate the impact of taking part in creative activities like sewing or painting on how much people reported enjoying their lives. They found that creativity had as great an influence on participants’ wellbeing and happiness as sociodemographic factors like age and health. Helping people to access affordable opportunities for creativity could be a major boost to public mental health.
Could arts and crafts help protect the public’s mental health? A new study in Frontiers in Public Health provides evidence that indulging our creative side could provide everyone with a significant wellbeing boost. Because arts and crafts are relatively affordable and accessible, promoting the public’s access to artistic activities could provide a major boost to public mental health.
“Crafting and other artistic activities showed a meaningful effect in predicting people’s sense that their life is worthwhile,” explained Dr Helen Keyes of Anglia…
