The benefits of creativity on the mind, and how to include more in your daily life

Artists and people in certain professions are frequently referred to as creative people. Some people think that they are not creative at all. Creativity comes in many more forms than we often think and is a sliding scale. Despite what you may believe, no one is entirely without creativity and imagination! It may look different, but it is absolutely there. In this article, we look at the various benefits of nurturing your creative side and some ways to do so which can fit into your daily life.

Benefits of Creativity

Facilitates self-expression

Creative pursuits are often a good form of self-expression. Showing the world and those around us how we feel is vital to being human, as it’s how we communicate and understand each other. Due to this, we have an evolutionary desire to express our feelings succinctly. These expressions can come quite effectively through the production of something or our actions in our chosen creative hobbies.

Increases happiness

Brain chemistry, or the levels of various chemicals in your brain that moderate your emotions, can be a very delicate balance. Dopamine and serotonin, among others, are responsible for registering happiness in our brains. Expressions of creativity are positively linked to these “happy hormones”, which means that being creative can actually make you happier. This isn’t just a psychological effect because you enjoy doing something; it’s a physiological change in your brain’s chemical mix!

If you’re interested in how and why we measure happiness, check out the article about the Subjective Happiness Scale.

Improves mental health 

Being creative can positively change your mental health, particularly if you partake regularly. Studies indicate that having creative hobbies and pastimes can reduce stress and anxiety and even lessen the severity of depressive symptoms. Being creative activates similar areas in your brain to those which process our emotions, meaning that being creative can help you deal with your feelings. The phrase “creative outlet” jumps to mind… 

Improves physical health

Due to the incredibly close link between physical and mental health, anything that improves our mental state is likely to have a similar effect on our bodies. Increasing creativity can lower stress, which can assist with better immune function, so you are sick less often and less severely, as well as lessening headaches, reducing aches and pains and lowering high blood pressure, among the many benefits.

Sharpens problem-solving skills

Although it may not seem like it initially, creativity necessitates being original and solving problems. The process of managing spatial awareness, use of tools for various purposes, original design and use of logic are all vital aspects of creativity and your ability to solve problems in other contexts. Practising these skills in your creative pursuit will improve them, useful when facing your next challenge.

Provides perspective

Some creative hobbies involve putting yourself into the shoes of another, either for the creation process or to imagine what others will experience when looking at your work. Seeing things from different perspectives is key to developing empathy and reducing the predisposition for prejudice.

Boosts confidence

When it comes to creativity, confidence is critical. Trust in your creativity allows you to take risks and experiment with new ideas, leading to breakthroughs in your work and transferrable skill development. Being able to experiment and make mistakes in this safe environment is beneficial for learning and gaining confidence.

Including more creativity in your life

There are so many ways to incorporate more creative pursuits into your life. Some of the items in the following list might seem obvious, but there also are some surprises on there! Importantly, you must try and see what works for you, as there is no one-size-fits-all answer. With this much variety, however, there’s likely something to suit.

Visual arts and writing

When asked to name creative hobbies, most people will think of these areas. Producing various kinds of writing or artwork is a fabulous way to exercise your creativity. Examples of such activities include:

• Drawing or painting
• Storytelling and creative writing
• Poetry
• Colouring books
• Photography

Managing spaces

This one doesn’t often come to mind as an example of creativity, but it is! Designing and rearranging spaces to make them more functional or visually appealing involves the selection of items, theming, spatial awareness, optimisation processes and many other skills. This can come from interior design (planning, arranging and refining an indoor space) or gardening and landscaping (doing the same for an outdoor area). Is there a room in your house you would like to improve, or does sitting in your outdoor spaces not bring joy? Spending time considering plants and furniture, colours, floorplans and similar concepts may scratch the creative itch and make you more content in your spaces.

Producing things

Making things, whether from a predetermined plan or figuring out the plan as you go, can be a great way of flexing your creativity muscles as well as critical and logical thinking, dexterity, coordination and similar skills. Examples of these kinds of activities include:

• Cooking, including baking, from recipes or without
• DIY or do-it-yourself projects around the home
• Jewellery making, knitting or crocheting and other crafts

Performance Arts

Performance arts with an audience isn’t for everyone, but for those who enjoy it, it’s a fabulous creative outlet. If you don’t, however, don’t stress. Performance arts, when you’re alone, ARE for everyone. Singing, dancing and acting out your favourite scenes and songs can be highly therapeutic. Try it! It’s also a great way to feel more connected to your body and appreciate your ability to express yourself with physicality and song. If you play an instrument or want to learn how to, that also fits here.

Solving problems

Perhaps you have a real-life problem that has had you stumped for a while. Thinking outside the box and coming up with possible solutions is also an exercise in creativity. If you have nothing that suits this description at the moment, well, that’s good! In that case, take a look at some puzzles instead. Puzzles that require logic, like crosswords, sudokus and nonograms, are a great choice. Otherwise, you can find plenty of puzzle-solving magazines, apps and games, depending on your particular interests.

Tips and tricks

Changing behavioural patterns is complex. Here are some tips for helping your new creative activities stick:

1. Schedule your creative time into your day or week, and stick to it.
2. Significant sweeping behaviour changes often don’t work; start small and form habits as you go.
3. Find something you enjoy; there are so many options – no need to feel stuck with something you suffer through.
4. Being open to new ideas and experiences and trying new things can help spark creativity.
5. Surround yourself with creative inspiration by visiting galleries, viewing Pinterest boards, searching online, conversing with friends or whatever is accessible to you.

Conclusion

Creativity has many benefits for the mind, including reducing stress, improving brain function, and providing satisfaction. There are many ways to incorporate more creativity into your life, so try things out until you find something you love. Make time for this, and you will reap the many rewards.