This week is mental health awareness week and so we thought we’d share some ideas for ways you can use creativity to support your mental health and wellbeing. Research has shown that engaging in a creative activity just once per day can foster a more positive state of mind. Creativity has also been shown to boost happiness, reduce anxiety and even boost our immune systems. The positive relationship between creativity and mental health is strong, just 15 minutes of creativity per day can make a big difference. If you’re stuck for ideas, here are 5 ways we use creativity to support our mental health and wellbeing.
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1. Collage
I’ve started collaging which I’m finding really fun. I tear out words, images and quotes that appeal to me from magazines (In the Moment and Breathe have some beautiful illustrations) and when the mood takes me I create collages in a blank book. This tool is also useful to do end of year or mid-year reflections, instead of writing lots of stuff down. I find using this visual creativity really helpful for tapping into my subconscious, and it’s very calming too as you get totally in the flow with it. – Ellen
2. Creative movement practice
I’m a yoga teacher and yoga practice is a big part of my daily routine. Recently I’ve been exploring a creative and playful movement practice. Just listening to my body, seeing how it wants to move and letting things flow from there. No set routine or goal, this is a brilliant way to get back into my body especially if I’ve been working at a computer all day. Not into yoga? Just put a song on and start moving to it. – Ellen
3. Journaling
I journal most days and use this as an opportunity to process my feelings. I write whatever comes up, and try to be as uncensored and free with it as possible. – Ellen
Journaling 3 pages long-hand every day—as stream of consciousness as I can be and without judging what it is I write. It’s not fiction or writing a story but simply emptying whatever chatter is in my mind and giving time to check in with myself. – Kelli
Writing is an excellent way to use creativity to support your mental health, with studies finding daily writing helps people manage negative emotions and also boosts immunity!
4. Cooking & Baking
I like to cook and bake for myself and loved ones. For me this is a different way to be creative than the writing or making theatre I might usually do. I like seeing something come together before my eyes, and I love that I’ve made it with my hands. Listening to my instincts around what extra flavours or spices to add is a great way to be playful and tune into my intuition too. This creativity is at it’s best when I don’t feel rushed or stressed out about having to cook, which doesn’t happen all the time of course! – Ellen
Baking – again there’s something great about working with my hands and combining various ingredients to make something new. Once I get comfortable with a recipe I might then try experimenting and tweaking it to my own tastes. – Kelli
5. Sewing & Crafting
Working with my hands often gives my brain time to wander and figure things out. I enjoy the process of having an idea and attempting to bring it to life. I’ve learned that what I imagine doesn’t always come out as I expected but if I keep working sometimes I can make something even better. – Kelli
Those are 5 ways we use creativity to support our mental health and wellbeing. Hopefully you’re inspired to come up with some ideas of ways you can use creativity to support your mental health. We’d love to hear what you come up with, or what practices you already have. Let us know in the comments below!
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