Creativity, Wellness and Well-Being
Creativity is linked in many complex ways both to general human wellness and to our sense of well-being. The more people do creative things simply because they love to do them, the greater their sense of satisfaction and joy.
This is the last in a series of articles on creativity. I’m a bit sad about that because I found doing the research for the series and fashioning the articles a rewarding, creative experience. But life and time march on, and soon I’ll be on to other things.
Evidence is accumulating that creativity is linked in many complex ways both to general human wellness and to our sense of well-being. Researchers have long known that when creative people engage in their preferred activities, for the most part they’re doing something they love to do. In fact, the more they do things simply because they love to do them, the greater their sense of satisfaction and joy. When people create for the sake of creating, all self-consciousness seems to disappear. They “get lost” in the task, which takes on a life of its own and becomes bigger than they are. Not limited or pressured by specific goals, deadlines, or immediate gain, those who truly treasure the creative process are free to explore and invent and to derive pleasure from the pure experience of doing so.
Creativity is not only linked to a sense of well-being but also to general wellness (including, of course, physical health). Studies on the effects of engaging in creative exercises on maintaining wellness in the elderly show that participating regularly in creative activity is a great way to stay mentally alert, physically healthy, and psychologically vital. In an article on healthy aging for the website Helium, Cheryl O’Brien advocates some important ways to use creativity to promote general wellness, and I have modified and expanded on some of her suggestions:
- Play for the sake of play. Sure, it’s nice to win at competitive games, but it’s also vitalizing to simply engage in the exercise of “play.” Somehow we knew this intuitively as children but allowed ourselves to forget. Sometimes it can’t get any better than going to the park, swinging on a swing, or even inventing a new game that focuses more on “fun” than on “winning.”
- Try something new. Explore, discover, and do something you’ve only dreamed of doing before. It’s not as important to do it right as it is to simply do something different and enjoy the experience for its own sake.
- Expose yourself to artistic expression. Attend a concert or a film festival. Play an instrument or try your hand at a craft.
- Do something amusing or “silly.” Goof around with some friends. See a comic act. Tell some jokes or just have a good laugh. As noted in a prior post, these things are really good for the soul. (See “Humor and Health: 4 Ways to Get More Laughter, the Best Medicine”.)
- Do some things both physically challenging as well as refreshing. Engage in a good exercise routine. Pamper yourself with a massage.
- Stimulate your senses. Do a wine and cheese tasting. Schedule a long lunch where you can taste something new, and spend enough time to truly “savor” the experience.
Nurturing one’s creative spirit has a lot to do with maintaining a healthy and vital life. Life itself is all about creative growth. Death is the cessation of growth. It’s one thing to be alive — and quite another to feel alive. Honoring our instinctive need for creative experience and expression is the best way to live long, stay well, and enjoy vitality.
Next week I’ll be beginning a series of articles that preview some of the most important topics in my upcoming book Disturbances of Character. The release date on this book has been delayed twice already, but the end is really in sight now! Hopefully, the finished product will prove itself worth the wait. In the meantime, blog readers will get a “sneak peak” into some of the book’s more interesting and possibly controversial aspects.
Other articles by Dr George Simon, PhD
This article was last reviewed by Dr Greg Mulhauser, Managing Editor on Thursday, 24th September 2009. You can leave a reply below.
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30th September 2009
I absolutely agree with the fact that creativity keeps us alive. Just look at someone like Dr. Rita Levi Montalcini (she is my hero,) who just turned 100 years old (on April 22,) and still keeps her mind busy with work and scientific research.
I don’t think I can picture my life without creating and researching new things every day. My father, who recently passed away two weeks ago, worked, created, and researched until the very last days of his life. An example to remember and follow.
30th September 2009
Such a thoughtful and inspiring comment! Thanks, Mariana.
1st October 2009
CREATIVITY THE FORGOTTON EQUATION.
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All of us have it,its what we are born with,howver by the time we get to school unconditional creativity is knocked out of us,the influences are simply to much.
Picasso’s statement about the best artists being children is certainly true.
I’ve seen some examples of Africa children without a formal education making wonderfully creative pieces simply for pleasure and for them selves using tin cans and discarded materials.
How different is it here in Hong Kong where every creative project has to have a purpose,usually to get a better grade.
We should allow each child entering school to have the emphasis placed more on anything creative than on academic.
If this was so the world would be a better place.
lee du ploy ( hong kong )
5th October 2009
You make a great point. I’m glad your experience in Hong Kong is different. The first article of this series briefly addresses how important it is to create an educational environment in which creativity is nurtured and allowed to flourish.
2nd October 2009
sorry to see the series come to an end – I haven’t commented but I have been reading and enjoying, immensely. Thanks!
2nd October 2009
Thanks, Sarah. I enjoyed doing the series. It was another chance to be…..well, creative!
3rd October 2009
Artists we owe for making life wonderfull through creativity.
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The word genuis is bandied about so much nowadays that its attributed to footballers and actors.
What most of us forget is the legacy left to us by the great artists of our time, who influenced our way of thinking and allows us into their world.
We should be grateful for a few but essentially to all,however here are some which in my opnion made what life is today and are true genuises, in no particular order.
Modiglianni for his colour and use of texture in paint which sings in harmony with the subject.
Paul Klee for his magic and playfullness in the face of adversity.
Picasso for his judgement,throwing caution to the wind and mixing whatever worked with whatever that did not to make it his very own.
Van Gogh where sexing the paint into life made him the master.
Whistler for his non compromise and using the colour black in immodest planes.
Matisse for simply being himself,a line will tell a complete story,the skill of the minimal.
now for some a little bit more modern.
Anselm Kiefer for his texture and style.
Zao Wuo Ki for his essence and pressence.
Tapies for his smile and skills to make a wall look like a wall.
And some later heroes.
Andy Worhol who made advertising happen, in spite of his protestatations to the contary,the best window dresser in town.
Damain(the beast) Hurst who hurled the future through past into the church within range of fragile window before the clock struck and made money.
And finally the overdomestic goddess Tamara de Limpika.
lee du ploy (hong Kong)
ps. these examples are a small sellection of what shaped my life,I unreservedly appologise if they don’t meet your criterea.
5th October 2009
Thanks for your comment, Lee. I think the artists you mention would be on the creative genius lists of many others.