Calming activities & hobbies

Creativity can help reduce stress, lift your mood, and boost self-confidence, all while giving you a sense of accomplishment and purpose. Engaging in colouring, knitting, crochet, painting, or other crafts, can also reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.

When we are being ‘creative’, our brains release dopamine, which is a natural anti-depressant. Dopamine plays a role in how we feel pleasure. It’s a big part of our unique human ability to think and plan. It helps us strive, focus, and find things interesting.

The act of creating art can also be an effective form of mindfulness. By sinking into a creative flow state, we become more mindful and aware of our thoughts, feelings, and experiences in the present moment. This helps to keep us grounded and focused on the task at hand, which reduces stress levels and encourages mental clarity.

For evidence supporting the therapeutic benefits of creative hobbies, see our Research page which provides links to articles published in peer reviewed journals.