Cultivating Creativity

With?pandemic fatigue?on the rise, feelings of burnout, stress, and anxiety are increasingly common. Not only does this impact productivity, it also affects a person’s mental and physical health. Creativity helps fight pandemic fatigue by providing an outlet to reduce stress and cultivate new ideas.

Being creative looks different for everyone. While some may be naturally gifted in certain art forms, every person has the ability to express creativity. Creative activities such as playing the guitar, knitting, and drawing can help reduce stress and realign the body and mind. Expressing creativity can also be simple everyday tasks, such as cooking a meal or tending to a garden.

Studies?have shown that creativity is linked to various physical and mental health benefits, including improvements to the immune system and cognitive brain function. For instance, if you journal daily, you are boosting your immune system without even realizing. Writing on a regular basis increases?CD4+ lymphocyte?count, which is a vital part of the immune system. Moreover, playing an instrument creates stronger connectivity between the left and right sides of the brain, leading to improved overall cognitive function.?

When expressing creativity, the brain is flooded with?dopamine.?This chemical is a natural antidepressant that increases feelings of happiness and reduces stress. Therefore, having creative outlets helps reduce anxiety and depression. Creative activities equip individuals with the ability to process their emotions and focus their mind, which has calming effects on the brain and body.?

Carving out time to be creative can seem like an impossible task in the midst of busy life. However, making small changes to your day to express your creativity can have a lasting impact on your physical and mental health. For additional resources on how to express your creativity and improve your health, click?here.

This blog post was originally posted on CorVel's blog here.