Every year, World Health Day is celebrated on April 7th, bringing attention to specific health concerns that impact people across the planet. This year, the theme is rooted in the need for creating societies that are focused on well-being.
While there’s a significant emphasis on the physical health of humans — 99% of the world’s population now breathes polluted air — mental health is also something to be discussed when your well-being is at stake.
Practicing self-care can come in many forms. You may have visions of bath-bombed tubs, face masks, exercise, or a well-deserved nap. But there’s another way you can pamper your mental health and overall wellness — being creative!
Whether you’re an artist by trade or you use your free time to dabble with your favorite form of arts and crafts — those moments you home in on your creative thoughts are acting as mini art therapy sessions.
As you recognize World Health Day and take some time to reflect on how you’re prioritizing your well-being, consider why your self-care routine should include being creative. From self-discovery to stress relief, embracing your creative side can improve your mental health in a number of ways.
1. Creativity Encourages You to Discover Yourself
When you’re creating, you make decisions about what you like — what colors, shapes, configurations, and textures are you drawn to? To make art in any form you make choices based on your inner impulses and visions.
Think of your creative outlet as an instrument to recognize feelings and thoughts that have been lurking around in your subconscious. You may find yourself broadening your horizons the deeper you go with your art.
2. Creativity Provides a Healthy Emotional Release
You’re not only turning into yourself when you spend time in a creative headspace, you’re also expressing yourself through an external representation of your internal world.
The arts give way to a healthy outlet for expressing and letting go of your feelings and fears. Complex emotions like sadness, anger, or frustration can’t always be easily communicated with words.
But keep in mind that creating doesn’t have to be used for melancholy emotional releases. Dive in when you’re feeling at your best, too!
3. Creativity Helps You Manage Stress
Studies have shown that creative activities — whether that’s art therapy or color-in mandalas — can minimize anxiety, combat stress, and improve a negative mood.
One reason why being creative helps relieve stress and relax your mind is because this is a form of practicing mindfulness. Rather than focusing on the gloomy or pessimistic emotions you’re feeling, you’re directing your attention to the project in front of you and going with that “flow.”
Studies also show that creating art stimulates the release of dopamine. This is the chemical that makes us feel happier when we’re doing something that brings us joy.
4. Creativity Promotes Higher Self-Esteem
The creative process can give you a feeling of self-accomplishment and heighten your feelings of self-appreciation and confidence. Yes, there can and will be frustrating times when you’re working on a project, but doesn’t it feel so wonderful to see your work finished?
The inherent value of the process is what should be focused on — not whether you think you’re “good” at art or not. The exciting part is developing your skills and finding your own groove to get your artwork to where you want it to be.
Allow yourself to find your creative identity on your own terms and be proud of the outcome.
5. Creativity Connects You to Others
When you show others your art, you’re showing them a piece of yourself. You’re opening yourself up to dialogue and deeper reflection as you look at your work from an outsider’s perspective.
You allow others to understand your point of view. And when they open themselves up to you through their work, you get to see theirs. This cyclical relationship between creators and their artworks encourages empathy and thoughtfulness within our communities. It establishes a greater sense of support for one another.
And that, in turn, will lift you up when you’re on your own again, creating in your space.
Discover Your Next Project at ReCreative Denver
You are an innately creative person. Wherever you are on your artistic journey, there’s even more imagination and inspiration waiting inside of you to be woken up and unleashed.
Whether you’re painting, sculpting, scrapbooking, or knitting, working creative time into your daily routine can only lead to more positive feelings and exciting outcomes in your artwork.
And if you’re in need of inspiration for your next project, ReCreative Denver is your hub for supplies and tapping more into the creative community. Learn more about how creative reuse centers work and the types of items you can find in our shop!
Find out how ReCreative Denver is helping breathe life into the creative process >