Channel your inner Picasso.

If you have nothing better going on today, head on over to your friendly, neighborhood arts and crafts store and buy some art supplies. This won’t be just to use on some elaborate, Martha Stewart-inspired Q-tip dispenser. Keep them handy for the next time you’re feeling conflicted, stressed out or just plain down in the dumps.

According to the American Art Therapy Association, “the creative process involved in artistic self-expression helps people to resolve conflicts and problems, develop interpersonal skills, manage behavior, reduce stress, increase self-esteem and self-awareness, and achieve insight.” For serious issues, you might want to track down a real, live art therapist, but for the average day-to-day problems, be your own art therapist.

When something’s irking you, grab your favorite artistic medium—paint, crayon, clay or whatever—and go to town. Don’t worry about whether the end result is “good” or “bad.” Just relax and enjoy the creative process and the downtime. You may even discover a new talent in the process.