Creativity and Healing

Creativity and healing have been part of the human story since the beginning of time. Ancient civilizations used local materials to record their activities, experiences, and visions. Today, we are no different. Journaling, painting, making music, dancing, singing, photography, gardening, sculpting, making ceramics, cooking, and more are all ways in which people self-reflect, heal, find meaning in life’s experiences, change behaviors and thought patterns, and form meaningful connections with themselves and others. Even watching others create can be healing.

Creativity helps engage the parasympathetic nervous system, producing calming and healing effects such as:

• Decreased heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate
• Decreased anxiety
• Increased blood to the gastrointestinal system
• Increased stimulation to the hypothalamus, balancing blood flow, heart rate, and hormone levels and releasing endorphins and other neurotransmitters
• Decreased pain and the need for pain medication
• Improved and more effective immune system function
• Restored emotional balance and shift in perception to one of calmness
• Increased sense of hope, self-confidence, and optimism
• Improved ability to cope with debilitating problems
• Increased compassion
• Improved energy levels
• Enhanced self-understanding and insight

Creative endeavors can be used to help individuals who have experienced virtually any physical, emotional, or spiritual trauma.

Ways To Increase Creativity In Your Life

If you already participate in creative activities, try new ones and see how you feel—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Expand your horizons and experiment with new ways to express yourself.

If you think you are not a “creative” person, try reframing your opinion of yourself. Everyone is creative in some way. Often the biggest stumbling block to creativity is our own self-criticism or fear of the opinions of others. By remembering that creativity is, in itself, a healthy and healing activity, and the outcome is not what is always important, you may be able to relax more and ease into the imaginative endeavor with a sense of excitement and anticipation instead of worry and judgement. No one has to see what you create. It can be just for your eyes only!

If you need some ideas, consider the following ways to bring creativity into your life:

• Relax and unwind.
  • Go for a walk in nature to clear your mind and move your body.
  • Doodle freely with a pencil, pen, marker, or crayon. Try not to edit yourself but instead let your hand flow freely on the page and see what emerges as you let your creative juices flow.
  • Color in a picture or mandala using coloring books for adults.
  • Participate in a repetitive activity such as knitting, kneading clay, or stringing beads.
  • Try a new recipe or take a class.
  • Play! Find ways to laugh, play, and let your mind wander.
• Reflect freely.
  • Find relaxing places to take a 5-10 minute break that are peaceful and silent. Silence improves creativity by quieting the mind.
  • Draw or write whatever is on your mind. As you do, let the images and words come from your mind, through your hand, and onto the page without worrying what they look like or how they sound. When you are ready to stop, look at the page and see what you have created. What is it telling you? What does it remind you of?
  • Create a collage by cutting or tearing pictures, shapes, or words from magazines or newspapers. Try to be nonjudgmental as you arrange the pieces and glue/tape them to the paper and see what emerges.
  • Create a memory box or album by gathering items such as photographs, postcards, ticket stubs, or other mementos. You can even decorate the box or album if you wish.
• Learn a new skill.
  • Take the time to learn a new creative skill that interests you. Try quilting, ceramics, painting with watercolors, etc. Add decorations to everyday objects around you.
  • Stop thinking as much and start doing. Try to avoid making excuses for why you can’t do something and just try it. Remember that creativity is for YOU so don’t pay attention to what others say about it or your creative results.
• Create a healing visual environment.
  • Choose art images that mean something personal to you.
  • Add cool tones and soft pastels such as blue, green, and lavender to your environment to encourage relaxation. Warm, bright tones can energize your environment.
  • Include plants and objects in your personal (and work?) environment that support creative expression.

References

Bilgin, E., Kirca, O., & Ozdogan, M. (2018). Art therapies in cancer—A non-negligible beauty and benefit. Journal of Oncological Sciences, 4(1), 47-48.

Fallek, R. (2015). The power of the creative arts in health and healing. Retrieved June 5, 2021 from https://health.usnews.com/health-news/patient-advice/articles/2015/09/29/the-power-of-the-creative-arts-in-health-and-healing

Gardner, J. (2006). Vibrational healing through the chakras with light, color, sound, crystal, and aromatherapy. Berkeley, CA: Crossing Press.

Lane, M. R. (2005). Creativity and spirituality in nursing: Implementing art in healing. Retrieved June 5, 2021 from http://maryrockwoodlane.com/articles/csn/assets/CreativityNursing.pdf

Shields, D., Levin, J., Riech, J., Murname, S., & Hanley, M. (2016). Creative expressions in healing. In B. M. Dossey & L. Keegan, Holistic nursing: A handbook for practice (7th ed., pp. 321-344). Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett Learning.

Stuckey, H. L., & Nobel, J. (2010). The connection between art, healing, and public health: A review of current literature. American Journal of Public Health, 100(2), 254–263.