One creative hour a week

A growing field studies whether making things does anything for mood. So far most of the evidence is surveys and diaries: people who do creative things regularly report better mental health, and in a two-week diary study of students, days with more making than usual were followed by better days. Whether the activity causes the benefit, or happier people make more things, isn't settled; no proper trial of "one hour a week" exists. Evidence: worth trying

The likely reason is plain: an hour where your attention is on your hands and not on your problems is an hour off. Evidence: worth trying For a man who "doesn't do hobbies", cooking counts.