Creativity allows us to see the world in fresh and innovative ways. It assists us in creating beautiful works of art, solving problems, and refreshing our bodies and minds.
You have a beneficial impact on your health when you are having fun.
Creativity is beneficial to one's mental health.
Taking a mental break from current events and the never-ending news cycle is especially important during a pandemic. Taking part in artistic and creative activities is like taking medicine for your mental health.
Stress and anxiety levels have risen dramatically following the introduction of COVID-19, according to surveys performed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and others. Extensive research has shown that turning to creativity can help ease stress and anxiety.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, creativity can help trauma survivors cope with feelings of shame, rage, and sadness.
For soldiers with PTSD, the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center offers an art therapy program. Veterans frequently find it difficult to verbally communicate their trauma. “Through art therapy, patients can express how they really feel on the inside and expose things that they weren't comfortable sharing with the world,” explains art therapy manager Tammy Shella, PhD, ATR-BC. 1
Creativity puts you in a state of flow.
Have you ever been so engrossed in your journaling, making postcards from your latest images, or dancing to your favorite music that you lost track of time?
Being "In the Zone" is a state of mind.
This is referred to as "flow state" by psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, one of the cofounders of positive psychology.
During this period, you are completely concentrated on a task or activity. It's also known as being in the zone.
This is a fantastic and frequently ecstatic condition to be in. We are more thoughtful and relaxed in this mood. This makes us feel better and gives us a sense of accomplishment.
Flow participants report better levels of creativity, productivity, and enjoyment.
How Can You Improve Your Creativity?
Perhaps we don't consider ourselves artists or innovators who are schooled to come up with bold, innovative ideas. The key characteristics of innovators, on the other hand, are energy, intelligence, and discipline, which we all possess in varied degrees.
We may not be artists or innovators by trade, but that doesn't mean we can't find new ways to express ourselves. We all have the ability to express oneself and think of new perspectives on things.
The good news for those of us who didn't excel at art as children is that the positive impacts occur throughout the creative process, not as a result of the final output.
Draw or paint a picture
Don't dismiss art as a frivolous pursuit. Drawing and painting, according to a growing body of studies, can help people cope with stress and despair.
Artistic pursuits have been related to improved memory and resilience in elders, as well as assisting dementia patients in reconnecting with the world. It has also been proven that actively generating art, rather than simply appreciating it, can help to prevent cognitive deterioration.
Sing or play an instrument
We are united through music. According to studies, we have more good thoughts toward others when we harmonize or sync with them. 4 Even if they are not in the same room, this happens.
Both amateur and professional singers see an increase in oxytocin levels when they sing. Do you enjoy just listening to music if you don't want to sing? The hormone oxytocin is released simply by listening to music. Music has a direct effect on oxytocin levels, which influences our ability to trust and socially connect with people.
Dance is a great way to express yourself
Some folks are holding virtual dance parties during the pandemic. You might want to consider joining one. Dancing is not only enjoyable, but it is also beneficial to your health.
Dancing has been found in studies to reduce anxiety, increase the quality of life for breast cancer patients, and reduce the risk of dementia in seniors who dance on a daily basis.
The study's findings are startling in that the improvement was not only related to physical activity. Dancing was the only form of exercise that made a difference when compared to other forms of exercise.
Take part in a game
While playing or storytelling may appear to be fun in the moment, there are long-term psychological and developmental benefits.
"Children develop lifelong skills through engaging their imagination and creativity via art, storytelling, interactive games, music, and many forms of play. These abilities include the ability to express themselves, communicate with others, solve problems, build self-confidence, respect different ideas and cultures, and find things that make them feel content and joyful."
Spend time in the great outdoors
Nature had an impact on creativity, according to a recent study titled "Creativity in the wild: increasing creative reasoning through immersion in natural environments."
A group of hikers who spent four days in the woods without access to technology improved their performance on a creativity/problem-solving exercise by 50%.
In this study, nature supplied emotionally uplifting stimulus. Those in the study weren't switching tasks or multitasking, attending to sudden occurrences, keeping task goals, or preventing irrelevant behavior since they used their phones and laptops less. As a result of spending quality time in nature, their creativity test scores improved.