The Power of Creativity
Creativity doesn’t just belong to artists and musicians, it is something innate within all of us. Research shows that when we get in touch with our unique creativity, many other areas of our lives benefit as well. Medical News Today reports, “The immediate impact of utilizing a creative outlet is usually a short-term increase in distress, negative mood, and physical symptoms.”
As Brene Brown would put it, “If we want to live a wholehearted life, we have to become intentional about cultivating rest and play, and we must work to let go of exhaustion as a status symbol and productivity as self worth.” When it comes to “rest and play” what better way to access both than through the power of creativity?
Below are a four mental health benefits of accessing your inner creativity:
Creativity can lead to feeling accomplished:
Feeling stuck? Why not shift your energy to a creative endeavor? The process of using your hands to complete something start to finish is an easy way to feel productive.
Creativity creates confidence:
Allowing yourself create something isn’t easy. It requires vulnerability put something out in the world that can be seen or heard by those around you. This requires a type of courage which most often leads to confidence.
Creativity pushes us to be lifelong learners:
There is nothing quite as humbling than attempting a new craft. Creating pushes us to grow and learn in an intimate way that not many other endeavors require.
Creativity increases our sense of joy and reduces stress:
In a world where we are consumed with the hustle of day to day life, it is so important to make play a priority. It helps us slow down and adds to our sense of joy and well-being. Losing yourself in a creative outlet may also reduce anxiety levels and therefore improve your overall mood.
What better excuse do you need to break out that old guitar or take that creative writing class? Let’s get creative this week and be curious about what benefits we notice. Need some ideas on where to start? Click here.