The Effects of Creativity on the Brain
Being creative is more than just fun; it’s actually good for us. Creativity might feel a little different for everyone, but its effects are universal. Being creative can make you happier and more productive, expanding your horizons and possibly even restructuring your brain. It may also be especially beneficial for the mental wellbeing of young people. Let's look at the benefits.
Creativity Makes Us Happier
Not much in the world can compare to the feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction that comes with creating something new and wholly unique. Creativity, the act of conceiving fresh ideas and putting them out into the world, triggers reward pathways, according to an NPR report. What does this mean? Being creative can make us feel good. Even doodling on scratch paper can have a positive effect.
Creativity can also be healing and personally meaningful. Having a creative outlet can give us a way to process feelings, and even help us deal with anxiety and fear in a way that’s productive and positive. This kind of release can reduce overall stress levels, allowing us to be happier people.
Creativity Makes Us More Productive
When was the last time you had free rein on a project? Did you feel energized and full of ideas? Creativity can profoundly affect work efficiency.
One study found that people who are creative at work are more optimistic about their jobs, find their work to be more meaningful and tend to be more productive. Maybe you can share this study with your boss to see where you might think outside the box at your job and thereby increase output.
Creative Thought Expands Horizons
Have you ever been in the zone? It’s as though you don’t need to put any thought into what you’re doing; it might even seem like you fall in and out of autopilot, barely conscious of some part of the process.
When you create, you’re drawing upon previous experience and knowledge while simultaneously letting your mind explore new approaches and ideas. That requires a broad range of mental output. And, just like any other activity that exercises parts of your brain, that creative mental stimulation sharpens specific skill sets.
Being Creative Improves Brain Structure
Creative activities may even have the power to restructure your brain. Researchers have found notable differences in the brain structures of art students and musically creative people compared to control groups. Changes to both white and gray matter appear to correlate to areas of the brain the person is creatively exercising. For example, musically creative people might show increases in areas associated with sound processing and motor activity. Regardless of the type of creativity being exercised, that sensation often called "flow" is where deep mental benefits really take hold.
Creativity requires a lot of brainpower, but it also may change the way we approach problems. Researchers have found creative people are more adept at a therapeutic technique called cognitive appraisal, which involves replaying an unresolved issue in the mind’s eye while mentally seeking out new solutions. This means creativity may also improve mental flexibility, making it easier to reflect on possible outcomes and keep a straight head when making stressful decisions.
Creativity May Stabilize Young Minds
Perhaps most exciting is the knowledge that creativity could help developing young minds to keep their mental health on track. Children may exhibit less restlessness, depression and withdrawal if they’re offered a variety of creative outlets, such as writing, drawing, painting, storytelling and acting. This may have to do with the way creativity pushes the mind toward abstract ideas and multiple viewpoints, which may help improve emotional and social intelligence. But no matter the reason, creativity helps people to feel better, to be healthier, and to be more productive.
So go ahead, pursue that creative endeavor, and don't waste one minute feeling guilty about the time spent doing so. Write a story, learn to play an instrument, take a painting class or find some other outlet that resonates with you. You’ll enrich your mind, feed your spirit and give yourself the tools you need to be more flexible, productive and happy.
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