Four Proven Ways Creativity is Good for Your Health

In the hustle of life, it’s easy for our mental and emotional health to take a backseat. Most of us get sidetracked by errands, job duties, kids, cooking—the list goes on and on. Luckily, creative activities are literally therapy for your mind. Whether it’s writing, baking, gardening, sewing, or playing music, a creative outlet can really improve your mental clarity. The beauty of creating is that It doesn’t have to be elaborate or groundbreaking. It can be just about whatever you want, as long as it’s unrelated to work inside or outside the home. Here are four ways that creativity can be the key to better mental and emotional health.

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Ever get lost in knitting, journaling, or sketching? CNN reports that creative activities impact the body in a way similar to meditation. It’s like yoga for your brain. Decreasing stress protects your overall health and wellness.

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It’s no secret that work and school projects exercise our critical thinking skills. But when it comes to creative endeavors, we nurture different areas of the brain in new ways. CNN reports that engaging in creative tasks protects neuron growth by promoting the production of new neurons.

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It’s not uncommon to feel down in the dumps from time to time, especially during periods of hardship and transition. Thankfully, from simple doodling to singing your favorite song, moments of intentional creativity can come to the rescue no matter your current stuation in life. Creative activities have been shown to improve overall emotional health.

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A healthy social life is essential to our well-being, period. It’s exactly what a person needs to fill her heart—and mind— with positivity and affirmation. Socializing over creative acts promotes more than happiness; studies indicate it promotes health, too.