The Joy of Creativity: Four Fast Ways to Feeling Better – Creatively!

It’s a scientific fact: creativity and creative practices reduce stress, increase well-being, and yes – can even improve medical outcomes.⁽¹⁾

Benefiting from creativity has nothing to do with the end result of what you make – it’s all about the act of creating. Whether it’s writing, cooking or crafting, simple engaging in creative activities reaps rewards. The key is detaching from the results: when you toss the idea of “good or not good” out the door, your creative windows will open wide.

Awaken Your Inner Artist: If you think you are not an artist, think again: There was a time way back in childhood where you splashed paint without a care, and that inner artist is waiting for you to indulge. Grab a pen and paper, mindlessly doodle for ten full minutes and see if anything interesting shows up in your scribbles.
Color: Pick up any coloring book that strikes your fancy and get coloring. For an extra boost, choose a coloring book that is specifically geared towards de-stressing, and sink into the relaxing results.
Make art with the nearest child: Whether with your own kids, grandkids or friends’ kids, simply sitting down and making anything with a child is sure to inspire your inner artist. That’s because children are naturally detached from the outcome: since they don’t care about what others think of their art, you may as well treat yourself to the same mindset.
Visit a gallery or museum: simply viewing art can have positive impact on your health, even decreasing anxiety and depression. According to one study, viewing beautiful art causes an immediate release of dopamine to the brain, similar to the physical reactions of falling in love! ⁽²⁾

Gifting yourself with creative time is healthy act of self-love that you deserve. And, it’s a lot more fun than dieting!

Creatively yours,

Elizabeth
www.creativeawakenings.net

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https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2804629/

https://www.parkwestgallery.com/art-and-health-the-benefits-of-viewing-art/

About the Author: Elizabeth

Elizabeth Bryan-Jacobs is a nationally known artist, creativity facilitator and bestselling author, currently pursuing a master’s degree in art therapy. Through her own recipe of art-making, mindfulness and nature, she supports individuals in awakening their inborn creativity. Her combination of practices opens a path inward to inner wisdom and insight that helps transform challenge to change. The result is a greater sense of presence, connection and empowerment, as well as the abiding joy that is the core of the creative process. Elizabeth is also the author of bestselling Chicken Soup for the Soul: Count Your Blessings and Soul Models: Transformative Stories of Courage and Compassion. Elizabeth’s passion to share the benefits of creativity, mindfulness and nature inspired her to pioneer Creative Awakenings: Where Spirit Meets Science, a series of innovative, transformational seminars. She has shared Creative Awakenings for nearly two decades, privately and at exclusive venues like Canyon Ranch in Lenox, MA, The Golden Door Spa in San Marcos, CA, the Ojai Valley Spa and Resort as well as with numerous corporations. To support wellness during challenging times, Elizabeth now offers Awakenings Circles. These online, mindfulness-based creativity programs and practices help guests dig deeply on their journey in connecting with what matters most. Elizabeth is a renowned sculptor and artist with works in numerous private and corporate collections, including Dell Children’s Hospital and Healthline Media. Along with her husband, artist Bobby Jacobs, she is also the co-founder of The Spread Your Wings Project, a non-profit devoted to sharing the benefits of community art-making in response to the challenges faced by our nation today. The couple builds massive pairs of angel wings in community with vulnerable populations for fundraising purposes. For more information, visit TheSpreadYourWingsProject.org.