How creativity can improve mental health
In today’s busy world, it can feel difficult to incorporate creativity into your daily routine — especially when we’re used to goal-oriented tasks. There is a misconception that to make creativity worthwhile, we must produce something “good” — something worth showing others, or even something that can be sold for a profit. However, creativity is like mental exercise: it engages the brain, particularly the subconscious, and is greatly beneficial for managing our mental health and our emotions.
The Journal of Positive Psychology states that “spending time on creative goals during the day is associated with higher activated positive affect,” where “positive affect” refers to positive moods such as happiness and joy. It can have a real, tangible effect on mental health and related conditions. Artistic pursuits have been shown to decrease depression, anxiety, and burnout, can boost our immune systems, and also lead to self-discovery and insight, helping to uncover our hidden feelings and emotions. Essentially, creative expression acts as a bridge to our inner world, providing a safe space to explore and process emotions that might otherwise be hard to express.
This is why creative pursuits such as journaling, or even art therapy, are so beneficial for mental wellbeing: they help us to explore how we are feeling. This means that the quality of your creativity doesn’t matter; it can be simply for you and you alone.
This is an important step in beginning to incorporate creativity into your life: giving yourself permission to be creative.
– Tierney“Back in 2020 my life, like many, was chaotic. I was trying to juggle the last year of university, the pain of losing my nan who I was very close to, and of course the threat of the pandemic.
Creativity in the form of collage was a real lifeline for me, and I created a collage 'diary,' with each image inspired by one of my written diary entries. It gave me the time and space to process what I was going through and create something beautiful from it.”
However, while creativity without expectation is essential, it can also lead to community — a core component of self-care. Art classes, writing groups, and other art programmes can help us to meet like-minded people and connect through our shared interests, effectively treating isolation and loneliness. This is especially important as we age.
– Sara“'As a creative, my experience is that creativity and good mental health form a kind of circle, one influencing the other. When my mental health is good, I can deliver my best creative work. When I am experiencing poor mental health, my creativity suffers.
What has been important to improve that relationship is working on my self-belief and being lifted up by others' encouragement and support.”
Creative hobbies to try for your mental wellbeing
Creative hobbies that can help our mental wellbeing are varied and extend beyond the expected hobbies such as painting. If you’re looking to incorporate more creativity into your life, the following list might help you.
- Painting, drawing, and art classes
While it might feel daunting, especially if you’ve never tried art before, many places offer beginner art classes where you can explore different techniques. Painting is particularly mindful and can have a significant benefit for mental health. If traditional art doesn’t interest you, other artistic techniques such as collages, felting, scrapbooking, and even doodling have the same benefits to your mental wellbeing. - Journaling and creative writing
Creative writing classes exist for people of all levels of experience, but you don’t have to focus on fiction or narrative non-fiction. Many studies have shown the benefits that journaling has on our mental health. Journaling about our day, our thoughts, our fears, and our emotions can help us to process things that are bothering us. They can help us reframe our thinking and provide a sense of closure on aspects for peace of mind. Other writing techniques include poetry, writing a memoir, and even keeping a daily gratitude journal can have similar benefits to your mental health. - Pottery and ceramics
Pottery classes are common in many arts centres, including introductory classes. There’s something special about creating something unique with your own hands, and the process itself is both meditative and mindful. - Gardening, flower arranging, and vegetable growing
You might not consider gardening and related hobbies to be creative but being around nature is extremely beneficial to our mental wellbeing. Gardening, growing your own vegetables, and even flower arranging can bring that dose of nature to our busy lives, as well as the satisfaction of tending to something natural. They’re also mindful activities, which can both help distract us from things that are bothering us and also provide a space in which we can think through our problems. Some community centres and flower shops even offer flower arranging classes. - Music and singing
Even if you don’t consider yourself musical, learning a new instrument or joining a choir can support our mental wellbeing, and channel emotional expression. Singing and listening to music raises levels of oxytocin, the hormone responsible for feelings of love and social bonding.
This is not an exhaustive list, and there are many ways to add creativity into your life. There is no right or wrong, either; so long as you’re using your imagination and taking time out for yourself.
For many of these suggestions, attending creative classes is an excellent way to work on your mental wellbeing while meeting new people, helping to treat social isolation which can have a significant negative impact on our mental health. This also has the added benefit of adding structure to our lives and giving us something to look forward to. John Tabari, co-founder of ClassBento, Mental health UK’s partner, who offers creative workshops and wellbeing experiences throughout the UK, said:
– John Tabari, co-founder of ClassBento“Creative classes can have such a positive impact on a person's mindset, enabling them to have a digital detox from the hundreds of things on their mind and focus on what is really important.
At ClassBento, we have found doing a tufting class or getting your hands in touch with nature like an ikebana class really helps people be present in themselves and those around them, improving both mental and social wellbeing that negates burnout and loneliness.”
The benefit to creativity often lies in the process. Whilst the outcome brings with it other pleasures, it’s the creative journey itself that takes you to places that transcend the challenges and vexations in life. The joy of self-exploration and self-expression also helps build self-belief and resilience.
– Alexander“Living with depression and ADHD, creativity is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, ADHD makes it difficult for my brain to remember that creative writing brings me a lot of happiness, so I might go for weeks or months without creativity, but then my mental health suffers.
When I do write again, the effect is almost instant: I’m happier, I feel more fulfilled, and my depression begins to fade.”
No matter what, creativity can have a profound, positive effect on our mental wellbeing.
Take time out and ask yourself – how can you bring creativity into your life?
Looking for more ways to support your wellbeing?
From work pressures to balancing relationships and childcare,
many everyday factors can build up and cause stress,
which may affect your mental health.
Our tips and ideas cover key areas of wellbeing to help you
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