Why Making Art is Good for You
(Even If You can't Draw)
You don't need to be a talented artist or have years of training to experience the mental health benefits of creative self-expression. Scientific research shows that the simple act of making art—whether doodling, coloring, painting, or sculpting—sparks positive changes in your brain and body, regardless of what the final creation looks like.
1. It Drops Your Stress Hormones in Minutes
When you feel stressed, your body releases a hormone called cortisol. While cortisol is helpful in small bursts, having high levels for extended periods can wear down your immune system and elevate your risk for anxiety and mood disorders.
In a study on the physiological effects of art-making, participants spent 45 minutes creating visual art using simple materials like paper, markers, clay, or collage supplies. The results were clear:
75% of participants experienced a drop in cortisol levels after 45 minutes of art-making.
Skill level made no difference: Beginners experienced the exact same stress-reducing benefits as experienced artists.
Material choice didn't matter: Whether participants doodled or worked with clay, the calming effect remained consistent.
2. It Rewires Your Brain for Pleasure and Focus
Making art affects your nervous system and brain chemistry in several key ways:
Triggers Your Brain's Reward System
Using neuroimaging technology (fNIRS), researchers tracked blood flow in the brain during simple creative tasks like doodling, coloring, and free drawing. All three activities increased blood flow to the medial prefrontal cortex—the area of the brain responsible for pleasure, motivation, and reward. Doodling produced the strongest response, demonstrating that even quick scribbles can deliver a quick hit of natural happiness.
Quiets Your "Inner Critic"
When you get absorbed in a creative project, you enter a mental zone known as a flow state. During flow, energy shifts away from the front of your brain (the prefrontal cortex)—the area responsible for self-criticism, constant overthinking, and worry. This temporary quiet period stops ruminative thoughts and gives your brain a chance to rest.
Provides Emotional Release or Healthy Distraction
Art allows you to regulate your emotions through two distinct methods:
Distraction: Drawing something neutral (like a landscape or a house) redirects your attention away from current stressors, offering immediate emotional relief.
Venting: Expressing negative feelings directly onto paper (like drawing your frustration or anxiety) lowers mental tension and leads to deeper relaxation afterward.
3. Long-Term Health and Wellbeing Benefits
While a single art session can lower your stress today, turning creative expression into a routine habit yields long-lasting mental health benefits:
Lower Risk of Depression: Large population studies show that adults over 50 who regularly engage in creative or cultural hobbies have a 48% lower risk of developing depression over a ten-year period.
Faster Recovery: People diagnosed with depression who take up creative hobbies like drawing, painting, or handicrafts are nearly three times more likely to recover over time compared to those who don't.
Cognitive Reserve: Engaging in hands-on creative activities stimulates neuroplasticity (the brain's ability to adapt), building a buffer against age-related memory loss and cognitive decline.
How to Get Started
You don't need expensive supplies or an art studio to reap these rewards. Here are three easy ways to build a relaxing art habit:
Keep a Doodle Journal: Spend 5 to 10 minutes a day doodling shapes, lines, or patterns while listening to music or relaxing.
Focus on Process, Not Product: Remind yourself that the goal isn't to create something display-worthy, but to enjoy the sensation of making something.
Try Expressive Drawing: Next time you feel overwhelmed, pick up a marker and draw how you feel without worrying about how it looks.
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