Is painting good for the mind?

One of histories greatest leaders, Winston Churchill, seemed to believe very strongly that painting was good for the mental process and an effective way to relieve the overworked brain of stress.

“I know of nothing which, without exhausting the body, more entirely absorbs the mind. Whatever the worries of the hour or the threats of the future, once the picture has begun to flow along, there is no room for them in the mental screen.”

Hi book, 'Painting as a Pastime' is still available.
http://www.amazon.com/Painting-Pastime-Sir-Winston-Churchill/dp/1906509336/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1420820569&sr=8-1&keywords=painting+as+pastime