Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
According to the National Library of Medicine, “Creative imagination, creative motives, and creative products are unique to human beings and are the source of their cultural achievement. Creativity is an ability to make new combinations, and it is one of the most highly valued of human qualities.” It is “commonly considered to be fostered by a supportive, nurturing, trustworthy environment conducive to self-actualization.”
Being creative has a slew of benefits. Getting creative is not something that should be taken lightly. It isn’t just a hobby or something people do when they have extra time. Creativity can help you find a deeper purpose for your life and existence and can simultaneously relieve stress and anxiety.
How Does Creative Expression Impact Mental and Physical Health?
Many studies have surfaced over the last decade that support the idea that creativity directly improves individuals' physical and mental health. The American Psychological Association reports that “spending time on creative goals during the day is associated with a higher activated positive affect on that day.” Positive affect is defined as general optimism and joy.
There are a few different ways that creativity helps to boost our physical and mental health, including:
- Sharpening Your Mind: According to studies conducted at the University of Texas School of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, “engaging in creative activities can improve the strength of neural pathways to the hippocampus, which in turn creates strong pathways to memories.”
- Elevating Your Mood: Creativity can help you gain a sense of control and purpose by helping you focus on the task in front of you.
- Relieving Your Stress: Projects like these can also help you forget your qualms and feel more at ease simply by distracting your mind.
- Combating Your Depression: Creativity gives you an outlet to express your emotions without having to use words. In a therapeutic setting, individuals often use artwork to discuss and explain more complex inner thoughts and feelings. This ability to dissect and reflect helps to combat depressive symptoms.
- Lessening Your Anxiety: According to MemorialCare Hospital, “Creative ventures help to fight anxiety because they activate the parts of your brain that process emotions. For example, Music and art help calm brain activity and allow the individual to feel a sense of emotional harmony.”
The physical benefits are similarly impressive and include:
- Boosting Your Immune System: MemorialCare also reports, “By channeling your artistic side, you can help your body fight against diseases and boost your immune system. Music and singing therapy have been known to help decrease inflammation, which is the cause of many common illnesses.”
- Improving Your Motor Skills: Crafting, for example, is a terrific way to use your appendages and get your body in motion. By practicing creativity regularly, you are engaging both sides of your brain through art, music, or dance, and directly benefit from engaging your motor skills.
Who does Creative Expression Help?
The exciting news is that creativity is for everyone, not just dancers or musicians. You do not have to be the best artist to create something beautiful and fulfilling. Although creativity and artistic therapies are suited for anyone looking to improve their physical and mental health, they are especially effective for target groups, including those with PTSD.
Participating in daily creative activity is known to improve symptoms surrounding PTSD by lessening responses of anger or shame, combatting depression, and helping with processing the traumatic event or memory.
Creativity for Therapy
When administered by trained professionals, creative therapy uses dance, drawing, and music to treat certain mental health conditions and chronic illnesses. Creative therapy does not require any innate ability to create art but rather helps people channel their thoughts and emotions through artistic expression. Creative therapy is particularly useful for those struggling to verbalize their emotions or thoughts.
Ways Creative Therapy Is Used
According to the American Art Therapy Association, art therapy is used to:
- Improve cognitive and sensory-motor functions
- Foster self-esteem and self-awareness
- Cultivate emotional resilience
- Promote insight
- Enhance social skills
- Reduce and resolve conflicts and distress
- Advance societal and ecological change
According to the National Library of Medicine, art therapy can also:
- Help a person build relationships
- Help a person have a better understanding of themselves
- Provide a distraction from pain or illness
- Give a person a sense of personal achievement
- Provide relaxation or empowerment
Illnesses Creative Therapy Helps Treat
The National Coalition of Creative Arts Therapies Associations, Inc. also states creative therapy may help to treat:
- Mental health needs
- Alzheimer's disease
- Chronic illness
- Head injuries
- Substance abuse problems
- Physical disabilities
- Developmental disabilities
Types of Creative Therapies
There are also a few known types of creative therapies, and these include:
- Music therapy
- Art therapy
- Drama therapy
- Dance therapy
- Poetry or writing therapy
How To Practice Creativity
Practicing creativity is an exercise in wellness. Like healthy eating or working out, creativity requires commitment and buy-in. Of course, your current mental or physical health could be a barrier to your planned creative activity. Even if it is a difficult day, try exploring your imagination for a few minutes to get your brain going.
- Draw or paint
- Sing or play music
- Dance or move your body
- Write or tell stories
- Spend time in nature
The Point of Creative Expression for Mental Health
Creativity is not just a way to get out of your own head. It is a way to get moving, active and engaged with your everyday life. If there is one thing you should take from this read, it’s this: Creativity gives your life a sense of meaning and purpose. Take that idea and run with it. Give yourself a reason to get up every day. Try something new and exciting. Take that dance class. Build that piece of pottery you’ve been dreaming about! Challenge your brain to a new task. Don’t give up if today wasn’t your best day. There’s always tomorrow.
Looking for inspiration? Check out this Healings Expressions Art Show we launched over the summer. PLM members from all over the world submitted their artistic pieces and inspirations. Take a look!