We all need a hobby or distraction to keep us healthy. If you've always been interested in art or pursuing creative endeavors, I've got the perfect reason for you to give your new hobby the green light. It's good for your health! Psychological statistics have shown that individuals who spend time accessing and using the creative portion of their brain are actually healthier, happier and more able to adapt to stressful situations and handle problems.

While you may have thought those random art classes you took in high school or college were just meant to fill your schedule, think again. Art introduces our brain to diverse cognitive skills and actually teaches us how to unravel complex problems by taking us out of the logical thinking process and over to our "out of the box", imaginative, creative side. An hour or two spent working on a painting can actually cause a shift in our thinking and give us an entirely new perspective. Wow! There's a lot happening when we engage in something creative!

The Perfect Space to "Create"

Most of us have a particular artistic interest, whether it's watercolor painting, pottery, or creating jewelry. The problem we always run into is a lack of room. Hobbies, regardless how rewarding they are, can become too much of a hassle if we are using a small space inside the house, like our dining room table. Every time we sit down to our craft we have to unpack all of our items, which cuts into our fun time, and then we need to tuck all of our supplies away again after we are finished. This isn't my idea of relaxing.

Instead of just putting that hobby on the back burner, why not create the perfect mini-studio by using just a small portion of your garage? With a bit of paint (okay, maybe a lot of paint), some rearranging, and good old fashioned elbow grease, you have the perfect place to create your next masterpiece. Here's your garage/art studio makeover checklist. Use it as a basic guide and tweak as necessary.

Garage/ Art Studio Makeover

• Declutter and clean as necessary to create as much room as possible. You may need to enlist family members to help with this project!
• Store seasonal items in bins, preferably up high and out of the way. Garage ceiling storage racks can provide a permanent home for everything from extra luggage to your outdoor nativity scene. Anything that isn't frequently used is a perfect candidate for garage overhead storage.
• Paint the walls and the garage floor. Your studio should be a place of inspiration. Get rid of the drab, concrete walls and floor with a fresh coat of paint. Check out garage floor epoxy and for a minimal investment you'll a space that's studio quality.
• Hang garage storage shelving to provide the perfect place to organize your larger items. A vintage dresser can be purchased from a garage sale or thrift store to provide cool drawer space for paint brushes or other small items.

Now you've got the perfect start which will provide you with a basic hobby or art studio. Now use the creative side of your brain to deck it out and make it your own. Don't forget to tell your spouse that you're solving world problems and improving your health while you're spending countless hours in your new creation station.