Feeling low? Stressed? Maybe your mental health needs a little pick-me-up! We all could use a quick mental boost these days. And science is proving that creativity is like a speedy prescription of joy for our minds. Sure, it doesn’t cure ALL ails – but it can be an easy-access comfort and boost for our minds.
But don’t take my word for it! Some super smart people did some very thorough research on this topic! In 2015, psychologist and art therapist Dr. Cathy Malchiodi referenced numerous studies stating that being creative can boost positive emotions, lessen symptoms of depression, decrease stress, reduce anxiety, and even improve the immune system. A 2016 study in The Journal of Positive Psychology stated that “spending time on creative goals during a day is associated with higher activated positive affect (PA) on that day.”
This is the part where you ask “But HOW does creativity do all this?”
Welp, apparently when people are creating they tend to get lost in the activity. Being creative requires focus and concentration. It forces us to stop multitasking. Some psychologists call this state of creativity, “flow.” The Flow Genome Project, an organization that studies human performance, defines the state of flow as “those moments of rapt attention and total absorption when you get so focused on the task at hand that everything else disappears and all aspects of performance, both mental and physical, go through the roof.”
The “state of creative flow” is caused by changes in brain function. Brainwaves slow down, and original thoughts are better able to form. (Translation: we think better) Additionally, the prefrontal cortex temporarily deactivates, or “goes quiet,” making us less critical of our ideas and more courageous. Lastly, during a flow state, our brain releases “an enormous cascade of neurochemistry,” including large quantities of endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine. These are pleasure- and satisfaction-inducing chemicals that affect creativity and well-being.
So being creative makes our brains smarter, braver and happier.
Side Note: The next time my husband tries to stop my creativity I’m going to tell him to “Stop blocking my flow!” Pretty sure it will be a big hit.
Seriously though, how EASY was it to be creative when we were younger? They literally GAVE us finger paint and crayons! We easily imagined entire worlds and adventures without any effort. But then we got older ::shudder:: and our natural creative tendencies were drowned out by adult responsibilities and concerns. So how do we get it back? How to we regain our lost youth creativity?
First of all: creativity is NOT reliant on the end product. That means you don’t have to make a masterpiece to be creative. For your mental health, it’s about the process!
Here are 5 easy-access ways to get creative today to boost mental health:
1.Sing or play music. Singing raises oxytocin levels in everyone – both amateur and professional singers get this happy boost. If you’re not enamored with singing, how about listening to music? Just hearing a tune you like can release oxytocin. Also did you know that oxytocin affects our ability to trust and socially connect to others. Studies show that if you sing in harmony with someone else you feel more positive feelings towards them? Want an easy way to listen to your favorite tunes? I LOVE the Panasonic ErgoFit Earbuds. They stay put in my ears when I’m bobbing my head.
2. Dance. Studies have shown that dancing relieves anxiety, improves quality of life, and lowers the risk of dementia for older people. Not to mention it’s just fun! The benefits of dancing aren’t just physical. It’s a form of physical creativity that effects your mindset and can help boost your mental health. Feeling shy? Close the curtains, block out the rest of the world then….shake what yo’ mama gave ya! Want to really move? I glide around my living room with LAMANTOP Socks.
3. Play or Tell A Story. Playing isn’t just for kids. The National Institute for Play totally backs me up on this when they stated: “A huge amount of existing scientific research—from neurophysiology, developmental and cognitive psychology, to animal play behavior, and evolutionary and molecular biology—contains rich data on play. The existing research describes patterns and states of play and explains how play shapes our brains, creates our competencies, and ballasts our emotions.”
I don’t know about you, but I’m starting to feel better already…
4. Go Outside. OK, for this to work you need to turn off your phone. Unplug for a moment and go out into nature. A study titled “Creativity in the Wild: Improving Creative Reasoning Through Immersion in Natural Settings” showed how nature affects creativity. A group of hikers who spent four days immersed in nature and disconnected from technological devices increased performance on a creativity/problem solving task by 50%! So head on out for a walk in a park, visit the garden or commit to a hike. If you REALLY want to dive deep into relaxation walking, check out the book Walking with Glenn Berkenkamp: 35 Wellness Walks to Expand Awareness, Increase Vitality.
5. Draw, Paint or Color. OK, maybe this is the most obvious way to be creative, but a lot of adults forget that this is a totally OK option. Artistic activities are linked to improving memory and resilience in older adults. Art even helps seniors with dementia reconnect with the world. Actively making art (instead of simply looking art) slows down cognitive decline. Don’t want the “pressure” of making a masterpiece? Grab a coloring book! The art is already started. You just need to pick up a crayon, colored pencil or marker and have fun! Want to get enjoy coloring today? Order a printable coloring page in my Coloring Shop HERE. All lovely, hand-drawn art you can print and color TODAY.
It’s amazing how mental health can be drastically improved with a little creativity. In our day-to-day lives, full of humdrum routine and stressors, we need to make time for ourselves. So groove to some music, go for a walk or grab a crayon – just go create!
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links and I may earn a commission if you click them and make a purchase (at no cost to you). This post is otherwise NOT sponsored or endorsed by any of the brands mentioned or reviewed.
About Artistry By Lisa Marie:
Artistry By Lisa Marie is a very small art studio located in Rochester, NY. It currently consists of Lisa Marie, a hoard of colored pencils and her two small boys Luke (4) and Michael (1) (her husband John is a computer geek with no artistic skill and has bowed out of the art business). Lisa Marie has been professionally creating art for over a decade and has created an extensive library of stunning hand-drawn coloring pages, all available for digital download. While she has a Master’s in Art History and can talk your ear off about the Old Masters, her background is custom pet portraits and beautiful coloring pages. Her main interests are encouraging creativity and helping colorists release their inner artist and relax.
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Want to start your collection of gorgeous printable coloring pages? Visit my hand-drawn grayscale coloring books and pages in my Coloring Shop! Instant download to enjoy today!
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