Being inspired leads to being creative, which can have several improvements on your mental health. From writing a novel to taking some photos, being creative can be great for your mind. Let’s look at why.
Creativity and the Mind
Many people who are creative describe their experience as their mind flowing. This is when you are focused on your creative endeavors and nothing else around you matters. When you maintain focus, your brain changes for the better. Your brainwaves slow, and this creates original thoughts much better. The prefrontal cortex, which is associated with us being self-critical, tends to stop.
Not to mention, our brains may increase in the production of feel-good chemicals that can make us feel happy and ready to take on the world. It’s almost like feeling a natural high. This can allow your brain juices to keep flowing as a result.
Creativity helps our mental health in many other ways. For example, it can make you happier and give your life a purpose. You may be invested in your own art and want to improve. Anyone of any age can benefit from creativity.
How To Be Creative
As mentioned, creativity is a powerhouse on your mental health. With that said, not everyone is creative. Some people may have had creativity in the past, but life wore them down. Others may have a creative side, but they just haven’t had time to explore it.
Luckily, there are some ways to be more creative. One of the most notable is…
Be More Mindful
With creativity, worrying about your past mistakes, or worrying about how your creative works will turn out tends to spell disaster for your creativity. That’s why it is important for you to practice mindfulness. Mindfulness keeps you in the here and now, which can encourage flow and allow you to be more creative.
In order to be mindful, there are several ways to do it. Practice meditation. Look at your surroundings and observe the present moment. Little bits in life, from the sound of a waterfall to the wind blowing in your hair, can inspire you.
Another way to be mindful is to consume other creative works mindfully. Whether it’s reading a book, watching a movie, or looking at art, pay attention to every detail. Figure out how you could be inspired by your own creative works.
Mindfulness also involves avoiding self-criticism. When we are being creative, our doubts and inner critic can make it much more difficult. For example, if you’re writing a novel, you may be critical of how it’s flowing without realizing that you should not care during your first draft.
Seeking Help
If your mental health is shot, you may have trouble being creative or enjoying what you used to love. That’s why it’s important for you to talk to a therapist. Online therapy can make it easy for you to be creative in 2020. One way you can seek help is by going here: https://www.betterhelp.com.
