Saturday, 22 October 2016

Is Being Creative Good for You?

The good news is … … … YES


Art Relieves Everyday Stress
Don’t you find that activities like painting, making models, drawing, gardening and photography are relaxing and rewarding?  These hobbies can lower your stress levels and leave you feeling mentally clear and calm.
Why does this happen?
Creating art provides a distraction from what you are normally going over in your head, so it gives the brain a mini-break from your usual thoughts.
When you get immersed in creative endeavour, you can find yourself in what’s known as ‘the zone’.  This state focuses your mind and temporarily pushes aside all your worries, focus on small detail is almost like meditation.
 But aren’t these types of hobbies expensive?
Well it doesn’t have to be expensive, many of us have a digital camera on our phone, and some people also have a digital camera.  You can just take a photo of something pretty or that catches your eye each day for a week.  Load it onto Instagram or Facebook and wait for people to like and comment.  Making other people happy through your photos will be good for you too.
If you are the sort of person who does not like that idea why not get an adult colouring book.  These are available in many shops like The Works, B&M, Homebargains, Aldi and Lidl. (and many other places as well!).  They are not expensive and then all you need are some coloured pencils or felt tips.
Construction of models as children many of us enjoyed Lego, Meccano, Brio and Airfix kits.  The good news it they are not just for kids.  You can have loads of fun building with Lego and these toys are often available in charity shops for a few pounds.
Being Creative can enhance Problem Solving Skills
Because there is no real right or wrong way to be creative our brain naturally gets a work out when faced with a problem.  Artists don’t always use blue for the sky and green for the grass.  If you don’t have blue in your box of paints you may use other shades of grey or green, yellow or pink to colour the sky.  This can be a liberating way of thinking and allows us to consider other options in our day to day problem solving. 
Finishing a lovely art project boosts self esteem.
Its good to get a project finished it gives us a warm feeling.  That feeling of self esteem is boosted when we finish a piece of art that others can admire.  A cross stitch card given to a friend, a lovely calendar with views of where you live, a model of your house in lego, or a completed hand coloured picture can be admired by others who will compliment you on your work.  It makes you feel happy. 
It can help Dementia Patients
This is something I have seen first hand.  I took a silk painting class and some of the other pupils were suffering with Dementia.  They were relaxed and calm when taking part in the class it also enabled them to talk to others in the class and the social interaction together with making some pretty artwork they could keep had a really positive effect.

Final thoughts – Everyone is a Creative, you may play music, take photos, write poems, colour in pictures or make models.  You don’t need too much special equipment or loads of time.  Give it a try you may find you have a talent you didn’t know about.  You may even (like me) find a way to make it into your job.  I am a Creative, Upcycling is my passion!

Enjoy creativity, its good for you.



 

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