5 Ways Creative Workshops Help with Stress, Anxiety, and Burnout

Why getting your hands messy might be the best thing for your mental health right now

Lately, I’ve found myself craving moments of quiet. Not silence exactly, but space. Space to breathe, to reset, to do something with my hands that doesn’t involve a screen or a schedule or a deadline.

Maybe you know the feeling too.

Between the emails, the group chats, the to-do lists that never end... it’s easy to feel a bit fried. Like your brain’s on overdrive and your body is just trying to keep up. For me, creativity has always been the thing that brings me back, especially when I’m feeling tired, stressed, overwhelmed, or just plain worn out.

That’s a big part of why we’re building Makerland.ie.

Creative workshops aren’t just about making lovely things (though that’s a bonus). They’re about making space for calm, for connection, for something real. They can be little pockets of presence in an otherwise chaotic week.

So if you’ve been feeling a bit off, a bit scattered, or a bit like you’re running on fumes, here are 5 ways getting creative,especially in a workshop setting, might help more than you expect.

1. They Help You Switch Off (In a Good Way)

You know that feeling when your brain just won’t stop buzzing? You finally sit down to rest, but somehow you’re still scrolling, still thinking, still half-planning dinner or mentally replying to that one email you forgot to send.

That’s been me, more times than I care to admit.

But every time I do something creative or walk into a creative workshop, something shifts. I’m handed a paintbrush, or a lump of clay, or a blank page, and slowly… my brain quiets down. I stop checking the time. I stop thinking ahead. I just be

There’s something magic about being fully focused on one thing. No multitasking, no notifications just you and whatever you’re making. And it’s not about being good at it. It’s about being in it.

That kind of deep focus has a name: flow. And it turns out, it’s actually great for your mental health. It’s calming, grounding, and gives your nervous system a chance to breathe. For me, it feels like giving my brain a mini holiday and I always leave feeling a little lighter.

2. They Offer a Safe Outlet for Emotions

There are days when I can’t quite explain how I’m feeling, just this weird, restless energy sitting under my skin. Not full-blown stress, not exactly sadness... just something I need to get out.

That’s where creativity comes in for me.

I’ve learned that you don’t need to be “artistic” to use art as a way to feel better. In fact, the messier and more imperfect it is, the more honest it feels. There’s something so powerful about pouring whatever you’re holding onto into something physical, shaping it, painting it, scribbling it out.

I’ve sat at a table with clay in my hands and realised halfway through I was working through something I hadn’t even said out loud yet. And it helped. Not because I made something beautiful—but because I felt something move.

Workshops give you space to let that stuff out. Quietly, safely, without needing to explain. And honestly, that can be more healing than words.

3. They Get You Out of Your Head (and Into Your Body)

If you’ve ever found yourself spiraling in a loop of “what ifs” at 2am or overthinking a conversation for the tenth time, you’ll know what I mean when I say anxiety lives in the head. It chatters away up there, even when the rest of you is desperate for a break.

One of the things I love about creative workshops is how they gently pull you out of that mental noise, without you even realising it.

There’s something really calming about using your hands. Whether you’re rolling clay, weaving, pouring wax, or layering paint, your focus shifts from thought to touch. From “what if” to “what’s in front of me.” You start noticing texture, colour, movement. You breathe a little slower.

That physical, sensory connection does something. It grounds you. Calms your nervous system. Reminds you that you’re here, in your body, and okay.

Even if you walk in feeling anxious or scattered, you often leave feeling steadier like something inside you has softened just a bit.

4. They Build Connection (Without the Small Talk)

Let’s be honest making new friends as an adult can be weirdly hard. .

That’s one of the quiet gifts of creative workshops: they bring people together without making it a thing.

You’re all there for a reason, to try something, make something, learn something. And that shared focus takes the pressure off. You don’t have to come up with clever conversation starters or talk about the weather. You just… start making. And somewhere between reaching for the same brush or laughing at your slightly-wonky creation, real connection happens.

I’ve seen complete strangers bond over spilled paint water, cracked pottery, or the mutual struggle of learning to thread a needle. It’s gentle, genuine, and often kind of lovely.

And in a time when so many of us feel a bit disconnected, that kind of easy togetherness feels like a deep breath.

5. They Remind You That You Can Still Learn, Grow, and Enjoy

One of the most beautiful things about creative workshops is how they gently remind us of what we’re capable of,especially when life feels a bit routine.

There’s something so energising about learning something new. Whether it’s your first time holding a paintbrush or you’re finally giving pottery a go after years of saying “I’ve always wanted to try that,” these moments light something up inside.

You don’t need to be perfect. You don’t even need to be “good.” The magic is in the doing,in the curiosity, the trying, the laughing when things go wonky, and the quiet pride when they go right.

Creative workshops remind us that we’re allowed to grow. That it’s never too late to try something different. That joy, playfulness, and creativity aren’t just for kids, they’re for all of us.

You might leave with a handmade piece to show for it, but more importantly, you leave with a sense of possibility. And that feeling? That “I can do this” energy? That sticks with you.

At the end of the day, creative workshops aren’t just about making things, they’re about making space for yourself. Space to breathe, to feel, to connect, and to grow.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or just plain tired, carving out time to get creative could be one of the kindest things you do for your mind and body.

Here at Makerland.ie, we’re passionate about helping you find those moments. Whether it’s your first workshop or your fiftieth, there’s a community of makers and learners ready to welcome you.

So why not give it a go? You might be surprised at how much better you feel when you slow down, get your hands busy, and create something real.

Because taking care of yourself? That’s creative too.