Photo taken at the Gardens by the Bay, Singapore
Chicken or the Egg
It’s funny when you come across a conversation where people argue for opposite sides of a debate, especially when it’s about figuring out which of the two items in question is more important. While the answer might seem obvious at times, it’s not always so simple in other cases, particularly for circular debates.
This is typical in bidirectional relationships, where it’s not possible to determine cause and effect: the chicken or the egg? One connection this gets me thinking about is the relationship between creativity and well-being.
The science behind both topics emphasizes the influence each aspect brings to the other, and it’s not hard to see why: artistic pursuits affect our bodily functions, and our health provides the energy we need for innovative thinking. So it makes sense that we see lots of activities that combine both aspects into a single approach, like adult coloring, dance therapy, laughter yoga, and more.
Engaging in expressive outlets supports our biology with stress reduction, brain stimulation, and chemical changes in the body. Moreover, this link between the mind and body drives our biological processes by boosting our mood, alleviating anxiety, and stimulating the brain.
Beyond the aesthetic appeal, the research confirms the value creativity brings to our physical, mental, and emotional wellness. So if you’re ever in need of greater motivation to commit to your process, here are five reasons worth remembering about the healing power of art.
1. It Promotes Emotional Expression
As the saying goes, emotions are energy in motion; our feelings are meant to flow through the body rather than remaining stagnant from any unwillingness to release them. What’s challenging is that they need to be acknowledged and processed fully in order for them to pass, or they can get trapped in our systems and lead to stress or physical symptoms.
Thankfully, art is a powerful tool we can lean on to express what may be difficult to articulate verbally. Whether we are dealing with grief, trauma, or complex life events, using our creativity in this way makes it easier to externalize and confront the tension in our lives.
2. It Supports Self-Awareness
Another reason to tap into the healing power of art is that it involves active exploration of the self throughout the process. As chaotic as our everyday events unfold, it’s common for anyone to get lost along the way when lacking the proper anchors to stay rooted with purpose.
This is why engaging in inspired activities is a great way to uncover hidden parts of ourselves we might never have given a second thought before. At the end of the day, this gives us better clarity as well as a deeper understanding of our stories and identities.
3. It Fosters a Flow State
One of my favorite reasons why I enjoy creativity is that it can bring about a state of flow in which I feel deeply immersed in what I’m working on with intense focus. It’s a pleasurable sensation that can only come about from transcending the mind and time itself.
The Goldilocks zone of engagement is another way to put it, where a task falls in between the perfect level of ease and difficulty. This benefits our cognitive engagement since it places our mental state between boredom and anxiety, which releases dopamine, accelerates learning, and enhances our motivation.
4. It Builds Resilience
If there is anything we can’t deny about the healing power of art is that it offers a boost to our inner fortitude and strength in handling adversity. Be it a painting, a drawing, a song, or a piece of writing, the act of working on something meaningful encourages a positive mindset.
Over time, the more we show up with consistency, the more we develop our sense of resilience, giving us the skills we need to transform an experience moment to moment. This also leads to greater agency and autonomy since it gives you more practice time in learning the steps you can take to reframe and rise above difficult situations.
5. It Improves Problem-Solving
Another valuable advantage of unlocking our inner artistry is the heightened level of abilities we gain in solving ongoing problems. Art helps us train our brains to think critically, explore adaptability, and expand our visual-spatial reasoning.
In doing so, it empowers us to think differently, consider multiple perspectives, and persist through trial-and-error instead of adopting outdated, conventional approaches. Moreover, this can also refine our observational skills, allowing us to recognize nuance and subtlety, making us better at finding solutions in multiple contexts of our lives.
Seize the Day
What seems clear is that the things we regularly do and the way we physically feel are interrelated in more ways than we can see on the surface. To me, that means that our creative projects and holistic well-being inform the quality of the other in a symbiotic relationship that cannot be denied.
So if you decide to start journaling, cooking, gardening, or playing an instrument, you can bet that what you create will show up in overall energy and wellness. Thankfully, no matter where you are at any given moment, it’s never too late to seize the day.
