If the last two years have taught us nothing else, we have learned how important our mental health is to our well-being. It’s time to talk about creative ways to improve your mental health and care for yourself.
After a decade of music and art being removed from schools, deferring to sports and physical education, it may seem like educators and scientists alike have discounted the value of creativity for healthy development. Instead, emphasis on physical health has been pushed to the forefront, overshadowing the need for emotional health.
The unintended consequence is that we forget about the need for creativity. Whether that takes place through creating music, various forms of art, creative writing, cooking, or learning the art of theater, all of the creative avenues have been downsized or canceled in favor of sports and physical education.
It’s Not Just For Kids
These school changes have spilled over, and we see cultural differences bearing this same sentiment. There is an overarching focus on going to the gym, participating in physical activities, and lasering in on our physical health, with little to no focus on creative activities.
Don’t get me wrong, your physical health is vital and part of caring for your mental health. For example, I spend an hour of my day walking miles to get my 10,000 steps. Being outside in the sunshine, and moving my body, is essential to my overall well-being. But it is not more important than other ways of caring for my mental health.
The CDC says, “Mental and physical health are equally important components of overall health. For example, depression increases the risk for many types of physical health problems, particularly long-lasting conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.”
Creative Mental Health
America’s mental health crisis is in headlines across the nation. But there is little written about solutions.
Caring for your mental health is complex because we are complex beings with various needs. We need to socialize and have relationships with other people. Our bodies need nutritious food and exercise. To be fulfilled, we need goals and purpose. And if we’re being really honest, everyone wants to feel needed and connected to the world around us. So how do we fulfill all of those needs?
Our mental health starts at a chemical level in the brain. The production of certain chemicals results in activation and growth in specific parts of the brain. These processes are known to reduce depression and anxiety and increase overall well-being.
It would stand to reason that if you want to improve your mental health, you will seek every opportunity to produce these happy chemicals in your brain.
The Journal of Positive Psychology published a study showing the positive effects of daily participation in creative activities. They said the study subjects reported significantly increased positive feelings after participating in creative activities. In other words, being creative makes you feel good! The study went on to show that being creative reduces depression and anxiety and boosts your immune system.
It makes you feel good, reduces mental health problems, and improves your physical health! Winning!
With all of those benefits, why wouldn’t you jump on the creativity train?
Let’s go!
What You Can Do
It’s time to put your mental health back in its rightful place, where it is equally as important as physical health.
You can do this by:
- Spending time on creative hobbies, you love
- Taking a class and learning new creative skills
- Putting on your imagination cap and doing some creative writing
- Grabbing a zen coloring book and a set of colored pencils and letting your creativity flow
- Stepping into the kitchen and creating delicious sweet treats or savory works of art from your favorite cookbook or Pinterest Board
- Re-designing/decorating a room in your house
- Hopping on Pinterest and creating a new board for your dream house and letting your imagination go wild pinning all the things you would love to implement
- Scheduling an afternoon with your bestie to do a paint and pour where you drink wine and paint while spending time with a friend. #multitasking
- Putting on your gloves, grab a shovel, and head outside to plant flowers or start a garden (yes, this is considered a creative activity)
- Picking up some great new yarn and get busy stitching (My FAVORITE!).
This list could go on and on…there are so many ways to be creative and get those happy chemicals flowing in your brain.
If it feels creative to you, then it’s creative!
The most important takeaway: get started doing something creative every day. Then enjoy the mental health benefits of creativity.
Ready to start your journey by learning how to stitch? Get signed up for a Solo Stitching Class today and take the next step to turn your passion into purpose.
