When you are in the creative process this can help with mental health, and it can make us feel good, too. A 2019 study by Jennifer Drake at Brooklyn College found that a mere 10 minutes of drawing improved participants’ moods. Art therapy researchers have also focused on the relationship between art and mood states finding reduced cortisol levels (Kaimal, Ray, & Muniz, 2016) as well as improve mood and self-efficacy (Kaimal & Ray, 2017).