How to Create Your Way to Growth

Many people think of this week’s theme, creativity, as an either-or proposition – either you have it, or you don’t. In reality, everyone has the ability to be creative in some form or another. You don’t need special skills, and many creative endeavors don’t require special tools. A creative activity can be solitary or social, and it can be something you’ve done most of your life, or something you’ve just picked up for the first time.

But like many things that are good for our health and well-being, sometimes other things get in the way, and we have to make sure we hold some space and time in our lives to be creative. By doing so, we allow ourselves to grow and improve on many levels. We engage both sides of the brain, improving cognition and memory as well as manual dexterity. And the mindful aspects of creativity teach us to “go with the flow” by becoming completely immersed in an enjoyable and productive task, allowing our emotions and thoughts time to rest, and giving our body a break from stress. In this way, creative acts are similar to meditation in the calming impact they can have on the brain and the body.

In fact, according to this article from Mindful.org, “researchers have found that people report being happy and energized when they are engaged in everyday creative endeavors, and that being in a positive mood goes hand in hand with creative thinking.” One reason for this is that when you get in the flow of creative activity, you reduce anxiety, improve your mood, and slow your heart rate – all of which are beneficial to your overall well-being. On a physical basis, the repetitive motions associated with some creative activities also can induce flow and cause your brain to release the feel-good chemical dopamine.

Physician and psychologist Edward de Bono said, “Creativity involves breaking out of established patterns in order to look at things in a different way.” There are many activities that can help us look at things in a different way and generate some creative flow, a short list of which includes: writing, crafting, cooking/baking, gardening, drawing, painting, sewing, making jewelry, making fragrant soaps or lotions, and performing music.

Creative expression is a great way to process emotions, vent energy, and just do something fun! Best of all, you don’t have to be an expert. The only requirement is a desire to try. It’s up to YOU.