The Link Between Creativity and Wellness (And Three Steps to boost your creativity Today) Blog

Jul 28, 2022

People tend to consider creativity as something you have or don't have. It's the phrases like "Wow You're lucky to be so creative. I'd like to be as inventive like you!" The idea of the creative process is inborn, inborn, and immovable. However, behavioral science on creativity which was developed by experts, such as Robert Epstein, has actually shown the contrary. The ability to be creative doesn't come from a trait that one is born with or lacks but rather a skill which is acquired through the practice and reaps a lot of health benefits from exercising the art of creativity.

In 2012 Tina Seelig, the executive director of the Stanford Technology Ventures Program, wrote a book, InGENIUS: A Crash Course in Creativity in 2012, which demonstrates precisely the concept. "We are all naturally creative," Seelig told Business News Daily, "and as with every other ability, certain people have more natural talent over others. Anyone can develop the quality of theircreativity just as everyone can enhance the abilities of athletes or music by undergoing appropriate instructions and consistent exercise." It's not something you can be but it's something you do, and for the right reason. "The prevalent misconception of creative thinking is that it'sn't essential and can't be learned. It's actually one of the top abilities we have to learn to master," Seelig explained.

There's plenty of evidence about the benefits of deliberately fostering creativity and exercising these capabilities as time passes. These are the main advantages of doing this (hint that it's healthier overall and more fulfilled you) and how you can do to practice the skills you've learned in daily life.

Photo from Top Teacher Mimi Chao’s class    Mark Your Memories: Make an Illustrated Milestone Map, A Creative Exercise for Any Level   .

 Creativity Enhances the Strength of your Brain

It is well-known that the brain can be divided into two halves. The left hemisphere of the brain is responsible for those tasks that require logic, such as math and the sciences and the right focuses on the arts and creativity. The review of a study in 2014 revealed that certain actions that we consider to be creative such as learning how to play a musical instrument actually increases the connection between two areas in the brain. "Collectively all research seems towards supporting the notion that training in music can cause adjustments in the cross-hemispheric connections and there are significant variations observed in various regions of the corpus callosum (the nerve fibers connecting to form both hemispheres of our brain) when it comes to musicians compared to those who are not musicians," the authors write.

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Creativity leads to optimism and a solution-oriented mindset

Creativity produces strategies that focus on possibilities instead of what is. "With more imagination" Says Seelig, "instead of problems we can see possibilities, instead of obstacleswe can see opportunities, and instead of issues, we can see opportunities to find solutions." The author elaborates that it's this type of thinking can be found in everything from the creation of business models and products to developing alliances with nations. By being creative "we create our future each and every day," Seelig added. In addition, the energy generated through creativity is proven to result in better physical and mental health as it helps promote an enlightened lifestyle by reducing the negative thought process as well as encouraging adaptable behaviors, as well as the ability to problem solve.

Photo from  Original    Creative Transformation: 9 Exercises to Draw, Write, and Discover Your Future with Mari Andrew.

The Art of Creativity everyday life

The simplest journaling can be a method of work out that could improve the effectiveness of creativity. Other activities that are traditionally considered creative exercises like painting, drawing, sewing knitting and painting can aid in getting your creative juices flowing. There are also steps you can take to change your attitude to encourage creativity, according to Professor Dr. Art Markman, a Professor of Psychology and Marketing at the University of Texas at Austin and co-founder of the Program for the Human Dimensions of Organizations, says:

  1. Be open to discovering new ideas in the right time. "The most creative individuals in all fields are those with a vast experience. The most creative people include Einstein, Edison, Coltrane and O'Keefe are also masters in their respective fields," Markman wrote, adding the need to disrupt your work routine to research on something is a major deterrent to the ability of you to "follow thoughts to different places." Take the time to study ideas that are new in the first location, then, later as per the advice Markman recommends, make a habit of communicating what you've learned for yourself, in order to build an arsenal of information you can utilize to think more creatively in the future.
  2. Open to learning anything and everything. The value of having an open mind to new ideas, concepts, and fresh experiences is immense for creativity. "The most creative people are typically highly flexible," Markman said. Markman suggests getting to the point of thinking about as well as experimenting with, concepts and ideas instead of dismissing them right at the beginning because they're not familiar. "When you encounter a new idea, you should take the time to listen or study it thoroughly, but don't think about it too much immediately. You can put it away for the time and come back later."
  3. You can ask questions. Noting that a crucial aspect of creativity is in the development of ideas is an ability to recall every thought, and even the thoughts that are abstract in the form of memories. "The most innovative people do not pick one method to tackle an issue. They continually come up with new descriptions of their problem and use their brains to find additional information that could aid in solve the issue," Markman noted.

The research is supporting what the artists, makers and creative minds have been saying for years - that when you practice creativity, you'll benefit from a variety of physical, mental and emotional benefits. Take a look at these courses to gain inventive ideas through classes that focus on the peace inside and exploration of the self.

Innovative Classes You Can Test Today:

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