You’ve probably heard people say that they’re “right brained” or “left brained.” Basically, that’s how we either say “I am creative” or “I’m not creative.” While yes, some of us are more creatively inclined than others, creativity affects everyone– even those who aren’t all that creative! Creativity plays a positive role in the state of our mental health, even if we’re not great at painting or drawing, or whatever. Taking just a few moments out of your week to do something artistic can not only boost your spirit, but increase your focus and productivity. Here’s how:
Remember when you were a kid how you would lose track of time doing something you loved? Maybe it was coloring or playing with building blocks or just being outside. Take that concept and imagine it happening as an adult– you’re doing something you love, so much so that you lose track of time, absorbed in what you’re doing. You know this feeling? It actually has a name. It’s called “flow state.” It’s the state where your brain is internally working and processing and actually putting out good chemicals (like dopamine, for my fellow psych nerds) that put you, essentially, in a subconscious state of “happy.”
Allowing yourself to get into a flow state on the regular is said to decrease stress and increase focus. But, studies aside, I know this stuff works. As a creative, most people might think I’m in this flow state all the time. However, just because I work as a creative doesn’t mean my work doesn’t feel like, well, work! My day-to-day tasks as a creative are not the same as allowing myself the free space of creative exploration. There’s a difference between taking photos for a client, knowing that I am working towards their goals and producing something that they’ve paid me to do– and taking photos outside of our garden and flowers, knowing that it’s okay if they’re not perfect and that I can experiment however I want. See the difference?
So, if you’re looking for a fun way to destress and decompress (while also improving your mood and focus) this week, try taking an hour to be creative. No boundaries, no plan in mind, just do whatever feels fun and interesting. Pretend you’re six again; what would you want to paint or make? Loose yourself for a little while and see how creativity can melt your stress away. And then, start to incorporate this sort of thing into your life regularly! I’d love to know how you see it improve your mental health game.
