Embracing Creativity: Affordable Mental Health Solutions for Rainy Summer Days
As summer approaches, you eagerly plan outdoor activities, imagining sunny days filled with exploration and adventure. Then reality hits: you live in the rainy Northwest, where the weather rarely cooperates with your plans. On top of that, your finances aren’t exactly soaring, limiting extravagant outings. But fear not—it’s time to tap into the power of creativity.
Indeed, creativity is the magic word. Did you know that expressing ourselves through creative and artistic activities can help relieve stress, anxiety, and lessen feelings of shame, anger, and depression after experiencing a traumatic event?The Impact of Creativity on Mental Health
Increase happiness
According to Forbes, engaging in creative activities can significantly increase happiness. Have you ever found yourself so immersed in an activity that you lost track of time and self-awareness? Whether it's writing a story, drawing, painting, taking photographs, or solving puzzles, this state of immersion is known as "Flow." Beyond the enjoyment of the activity itself, the repetition and eventual outcome of creative endeavours can elevate dopamine levels, thereby enhancing motivation, happiness, and overall satisfaction.
Reduction of Anxiety and Depression
The Cleveland Clinic reports that the average person has over 60,000 thoughts per day, with 95% of them being repetitive. This staggering statistic underscores the mind's tendency to dwell on familiar worries and concerns. Engaging in creative pursuits shifts your focus to the present moment, allowing you to immerse yourself fully in the task at hand. This mindfulness helps temporarily alleviate anxiety and depression by redirecting attention away from persistent negative thoughts and feelings.
Improve Cognition
Engaging in creative activities has been found to activate various parts of both the left and right sides of the brain, leading to improved connectivity between different brain regions. This enhanced connectivity is crucial for cognitive functions such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and memory.
When you participate in creative endeavours, whether it's listening to your favourite artist's album, colouring figures with your children, or experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen, your brain is challenged to think in unconventional ways. This process encourages "out-of-the-box" thinking, where you explore new perspectives and approaches to tasks.
Boost your immune system
Studies conducted on HIV immune compromised patients, have shown that participants that engaged in creative writing had increased levels of lymphocytes, suggesting that creativity can have an impact on our physiology too.
Now that you have found out about some of the positive effects that creativity can have on your life, it’s time to brainstorm some affordable ideas:
Affordable creative ideas:
Indoor Gardening
Create a mini-indoor garden using potted plants or herbs. Arrange them creatively on windowsills or use recycled containers for a DIY touch. Gardening can be therapeutic and provides a sense of accomplishment as plants grow.
DIY Crafts
Explore DIY crafts using materials you already have at home. Ideas include making greeting cards, creating jewellery from beads or paper quilling or what about collaging or creating your unique family photo album? Go get some glittery pen, buy fancy stickers, colourful tapes, or anything else that sparks your eyes.
Cooking and Baking
Experiment with new recipes or bake treats like cookies, muffins, or bread. Cooking stimulates creativity through flavour combinations and presentation. Try making homemade pizzas with personalized toppings for a fun family activity.
Artistic Projects
Get creative with art projects such as drawing, painting, or sketching. Use watercolours, acrylic paints, or coloured pencils to create artwork inspired by rainy scenes or abstract designs. Get inspiration from your home environment or, if nothing catches your attention, you can find plenty of tutorials on Youtube.
Writing stories & journaling
If you do not like artsy stuff, what about writing a story? Let’s engage your imagination. Look around, is there any object that is dear to you? What about pretending you are that object and describing what your day looks like? Who your friends are? Which owner do you like the most? Alternatively, write short stories, poems, or even begin a novel. If that sounds too much to you, you could start a journal to record thoughts, feelings, or daily reflections.
Board Games and Puzzles
Enjoy classic board games or puzzles with family or housemates. Choose challenging puzzles or strategy-based games that promote problem-solving skills and social interaction.
Home Theatre or Movie Marathon
Create a cozy home theatre experience with popcorn and favourite movies or binge-watch a TV series. Discuss plots, characters, and themes with family or friends for a shared creative experience.
Musical Exploration
Discover new music genres or revisit favourite albums. Experiment with musical instruments if available or create playlists for different moods or activities.
Lastly, here you can find some useful tips on how to engage with any chosen activity:
Useful Tips for Engaging with Creativity:
Immerse Yourself in the Moment
When engaging in creative activities, fully immerse yourself in the experience. Whether you're baking, painting, or writing, pay attention to the sensory details—feel the texture of ingredients, notice the vibrant colours, or listen to the soothing sounds around you. Connecting with your senses enhances mindfulness and enriches the creative process.
Focus on the Process, Not the Outcome
Creativity thrives when you let go of perfectionism and embrace the journey rather than fixating on the result. Allow yourself to explore ideas freely without judgment. If you encounter challenges or mistakes along the way, see them as opportunities for growth and learning. Enjoy the spontaneity and discovery inherent in creative expression.
Set Aside Dedicated Time
Schedule regular time for creative activities in your routine, even if it's just a few minutes each day. Consistency builds momentum and cultivates a habit of creativity. Whether it's early morning writing sessions, afternoon painting breaks, or evening music practice, carving out dedicated time reinforces your commitment to nurturing your creativity.
Experiment and Play
Don't be afraid to experiment with different mediums, techniques, or styles. Creativity thrives on exploration and playfulness. Embrace curiosity and allow yourself to discover what resonates with you creatively.
Article by:
Virginia Messina, Group and Live Chat Counsellor.