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Approximately 1 in 5 adults in the United States struggles with some type of mental illness every day. Some of the most common conditions include anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and bipolar disorder. While mental health conditions are treatable, only around 50% receive help. The good news is that there are a few things you can do on your own to help improve your mental health. One of these is creative therapy.
Activities like arts and crafts and journaling can bridge a connection between mind and body wellness. So, how exactly can creativity help you feel better? This article provides information on the power of creative hobbies and how they can be a positive part of a balanced, healthy life.
Mental Health Benefits of Creative Expression
Studies have shown art has a positive effect on the mind. Activities such as coloring and drawing offer a natural and effective way to reduce stress and anxiety. This is because creative therapy quiets your negative thoughts and helps you focus on what’s happening in the present moment.
Taking part in creative hobbies also lowers cortisol levels. Cortisol is the hormone released by the adrenal glands during times of high stress. While cortisol can help you manage stress, too much can lead to high blood pressure, elevated blood sugar levels, inflammation, and difficulty sleeping.
Focusing on hobbies makes it easier to forget your worries and achieve a sense of calm and balance. Artistic hobbies, such as singing and playing an instrument, can help increase your mood by releasing dopamine. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that contributes to feelings of happiness.
In addition to enhancing your mood, creativity provides a healthy outlet for releasing negative emotions. This is why art and mental health go hand in hand when creating a treatment plan. Creative outlets offer a nonverbal way to communicate and manage challenging feelings.
How Hobbies Support Physical Relaxation
Hobbies for wellness include any type of activity you enjoy doing in your free time outside of work and other responsibilities. They can be anything you like to do for fun, such as gaming, exercise, playing sports, woodworking, and reading. Creative therapy can have a positive effect on you mentally and provide physical relaxation.
- Improved relaxation. Creativity activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which is the system that helps you relax. Activities with repetitive motions, such as knitting and crocheting, can calm the mind and body, slow breathing and heart rate, and lower blood pressure. As a result, you’ll feel happier, more relaxed, and less stressed.
- Improved sleep. Adults with lower levels of stress tend to sleep more and experience more quality sleep than those under a lot of stress. By promoting relaxation, creative therapy can actually help you sleep better and fall asleep faster.
- Boost immune function. Having a regular hobby can strengthen your immune system. Individuals with healthy immune systems tend to not get sick as often and have lower levels of inflammation throughout the body. Creating art has also been linked to reducing chronic pain, increasing self-esteem, and improving the body’s ability to deal with negative emotions.
Examples of Therapeutic Creative Activities
Therapeutic creative activities include expressive arts. These activities are often used as part of a mental health plan for individuals who have a hard time articulating their problems in words. Activities may include:
- Visual arts. Visual arts include painting, drawing, pottery, and sculpting. They allow an individual to experiment with different textures, colors, and materials, which can be grounding and calming.
- Writing. Creative writing and journaling make it easier to put your thoughts down on paper. For some, it can be hard to express emotions and thoughts to others. Whether it’s poetry, fiction, or keeping a diary, writing is an excellent way to get your thoughts and feelings out.
- Music. Learning how to play an instrument or singing along with a band can both release endorphins and improve your mood.
- Performing arts. Physical activities, such as dancing and theater, can improve confidence and health and boost moods. Dancing reduces cortisol and releases endorphins and serotonin, making you feel better in times of stress.
- Crafting. Knitting, crocheting, jewelry making, and other DIY projects provide a sense of accomplishment. Building useful items can increase your sense of worth and provide satisfaction.
Incorporating Creativity Into Daily Life
To obtain a healthy work-life balance, it’s important to incorporate creativity into your daily activities. While listening to music and writing notes in a journal are some of the most common ways to express yourself, there are multiple alternative ways to spark your creative side and give your inner voice a channel for expression.
- Start a blog. If there’s something you’re passionate about or a subject you have expertise in and you’d like to share your knowledge with others, create a blog and write about it. Post pictures you’ve taken on your daily outings, or keep your family up to date on personal goals. Creating a blog is a great way to engage with others.
- Produce a podcast. If you’re unfamiliar with podcasts, you’re missing out on a fun, informative way to spread information. Podcasts include audio or video files and can be live or prerecorded. They cover a wide range of topics and can be as creative or informative as you want them to be. Sites like Bluehost and Spotify can help get you started.
- Take an acting class. If you’ve ever wanted to try out for a part in a play or join an open mic night but aren’t sure if you have what it takes, sign up for an acting class. Acting classes can help you unleash your creativity and provide an opportunity to interact with others.
When you’re ready to add creative activities to your daily routine, start small, such as drawing or painting for 10 to 15 minutes daily. Set aside a dedicated spot in your home to make it easier to engage in your hobby and devote a specific time of day to this activity. Keep in mind that you’re not interested in perfection — just enjoy the process and work toward relaxation.
Begin Your Creative Therapy Today
For someone struggling with mental illness, it can take multiple forms of creative therapy to improve your overall quality of life. For more information on our mental health treatment options, contact FHE Health today to speak to one of our counselors.
