Creativity as a Therapeutic Tool: Exploring Your Creative Outlets
Creativity as a Therapeutic Tool: Exploring Your Creative Outlets
Written by Lily Thrope
In today's fast-paced world, finding constructive ways to take care of our mental health is critical. While traditional therapy has an important role, people are discovering the healing power of creativity as part of their journey toward a sense of wellbeing. Engaging in creative activities can help reduce stress, encourage mindfulness, process emotions, and improve overall health. There are endless ways to tap into your creative side — visual art, music, writing, dancing, photography and many other modalities. When you pursue a creative activity, your brain functions similarly to how it would during meditation or yoga. The state of ‘creative flow’ allows us to relax, press pause and momentarily melt into a moment of relaxation and calm.
Art serves as an extremely beneficial therapeutic tool. Visual art, like painting, drawing, ceramics and sculpting, make space for you to externalize your thoughts and feelings, which can be really helpful when processing complex emotions.
Try these activities:
Paint with watercolors or acrylics
Take a ceramics class, or attend a studio that offers ‘paint your own’ pottery
Collage with old magazines
Use coloring books
Tip: Don't focus on creating a masterpiece. It is more about the process, not the finished product. Being present among different artforms is also quite therapeutic.
Music is another form of creative expression with plenty of therapeutic benefits. Playing an instrument, writing a song, composing music, or listening to music can evoke emotions and provide comfort. Listening to music is known to enhance one's mood, reduce anxiety and depression, and improve overall cognitive function. There are also different frequencies in sound, including music, that create vibrations in your body for wellbeing, better focus, more clarity, etc.
Try these activities:
Attend a concert or show
Try learning a new instrument
Create playlists to listen to and share with friends
Listen to background music as you go throughout your day
Writing is another powerful method of creative expression. Journaling, reading or writing poetry, and storytelling are all great examples. Getting into the groove of writing can be so simple - all you need is a pen and paper, or a digital device.
Try these activities:
Write a letter to a friend, family member or even the ‘future you’
Try journaling
Create a short fiction story
Write your autobiography - start by telling the story of your life
By embracing our innate creativity, we gain access to powerful tools for improving our mental health and wellbeing. Whether you're dealing with specific challenges or simply want to improve your basic quality of life, consider including creative activities and art in your self-care routine. Creativity doesn't require special skills or training; it's about the process and self-expression. Creative expression is about gaining a sense of calm, wellbeing and joy in your life!
If you are interested in speaking further about creativity as a therapeutic tool, or learning more about incorporating creative self-care into your life, feel free to schedule your free 15 minute consultation with Thrope Therapy. We look forward to meeting you!
