Why Being creative is so good for mental health
It’s not a secret to many of my friends and family that being creative is not only a favorite emotion of mine to feel, but a necessary one. I have always been creative; and ever since I was a kid, I had a pencil, pen or paintbrush in my hand. And if not as a visual artist, as a musician with a drumstick or mallet in my hand as a percussionist. The reason is simple: Connecting to creativity brings me peace and joy unlike any other activity. Of course I feel the same way about working out, it does bring me both peace and joy, but on a different level. You see, with making visual art or music, I completely let go and focus on the present moment. This is something that so many people struggle with these days.
I know everyone has “stuff” going on. Health stuff, family stuff, financial stuff, problems with politics stuff, job/career stuff, etc. You name it, everyone has stuff. But regardless of the stuff, being creative may not solve your problems, but it reminds you to take the moment seriously. If you’ve ever had a pet before, you know they really only live in the moment. That is a reason I love animals; they teach us something we often spend our entire lives chasing and trying to learn.
The same thing happens with creativity. It is so amazing for our mental health. Don’t believe me? Here’s a fantastic article by Yunjia Yang, PhD who is a postdoctoral researcher and instructor who leads the Arts for Health and Wellness Initiative at the University of Arizona Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health: https://healthsciences.arizona.edu/news/how-creative-arts-support-mental-health-daily-life.
I think the most relatable note of this article was this key component: “It’s not about talent. It’s about giving your nervous system a chance to slow down.”
When I was an art teacher (yes I used to teach high and middle school art), one of the hardest challenges I had to explain to my students was that you do not have to be a perfect artist to be an artist. You just have to try to create. Even if you think your art is like what Squidwards’s art critic says about his piece Bold and Brash (the critic says “more like belongs in the trash”). And yes, I will quote SpongeBob at any given opportunity.
But the greatest news, creativity does not mean making visual art. If that’s your jam, then groovy! But I know everyone may relate to being creative in other ways. So here are my recommendations to add creativity to your daily life:
Visual Arts: Drawing, doodling, crafting, sculpting, photography, weaving/crocheting, painting, etc. This is such a great way to connect your own creativity in your head to take it outward as well.
Movement: Walks, working out at the gym/home, dancing (HUGE one), hiking, swimming, etc. This form of creativity is allowing the body to explore energy and help you get out of your headspace to learn more about your own physical and mental abilities.
Music: Singing, producing, playing an instrument, listening to your favorite songs/playbacks, etc. I think that music is our soul connecting to all of our identities: past, present and future. And this can be so healing in so many ways; so I encourage music daily in some form.
Gardening: Having plants inside and outside of your space/house, building a garden like an herb garden/garden bed to grow your own foods/herbs, joining a community garden or helping your neighbor/friend with their garden. This can be so rewarding to help you learn about your environment but also such humble reminders for your own mental/physical health. For example, I was snipping off my pepper blossoms a few months ago because my plant was not ready to bloom and produce peppers; and I spoke out loud to my plants “I am sorry I have to cut your blossoms off, but you need to grow up more before you can produce”. And this connection felt like something I needed to hear as well.
Cooking: Making new recipes, comforting/family recipes, snacks, developing a cookbook, grocery shopping, etc. All of these can be such wonderful opportunities to help give you clarity, ideas and enjoyment with your food. A lot of these options are also low-cost, free or can be such fun-filled family/friend opportunities as well.
Now, there are so many other creative ways to connect to yourself and the moment. I also love writing/reading too. But with all of these activities, I also recommend limiting phone/social media time to help limit distractions and allow you to solely focus on your own creative time.
If today’s blog resonated with you, feel free to share/send to a friend or family member to help them on their health and fitness journey too!
So proud of you!!
<3,
Haley
