Next time you doodle in the margins of your notepad during a meeting, don’t berate yourself for distraction or absentmindedness.
Instead, give yourself a little pat on the back for being creative (yes, doodles count!).
Being creative is more than frivolous fun – it’s exceptionally good for your brain.
Creativity activates and strengthens the problem-solving, decision-making part of your brain (prefrontal cortex) to help rewire the brain for resilience and wellbeing. That’s science speak for: it makes you feel more optimistic and better about yourself.
Perhaps that’s why Albert Einstein once said that “creativity is intelligence having fun!”
Creativity’s feel-good factor is largely thanks to dopamine, a chemical in your brain that’s responsible for transmitting signals. When dopamine is released, the result is a positive, uplifting feeling. Our brain loves releasing dopamine, so it will subconsciously encourage us to continue being creative and keep up the good work.
There’s no doubt that creativity is good for you – the next step is choosing a creative hobby that you enjoy. Remember, you don’t need to be Picasso to pick up a paintbrush. The end result isn’t the aim of the game – what’s important is that you enjoy the process.
Struggling to know where to start? Here are some ideas.
Take a peep in the local paper – you may be inspired by a local class or course. Attending a community class is a great way to connect with likeminded people, too.
What did you love to do when you were little? Think about things you used to enjoy as a kid and give that another try. Was it painting, making posters, papier mache, drawing, model making, acting, dancing - there are so many ways to be creative.
Love eating? Take a cooking class. Love colour? Throw paint on a page just for fun. Mad about fashion? Learn how to sew. Think about what you already love in your daily life and see if there’s a way to take it to the next level.
When most of us hear the word creativity, we think of art. But that’s just the tip of the creative iceberg. Technically, anything that involves thinking creatively counts – so long as you enjoy it. Some out-of-the-box examples include joining a Toastmasters group or going on an Outward Bound course.
To get the greatest satisfaction from your new creative outlet, set some small goals. For example, if you want to take up cartooning, start by drawing circles and ovals, then move on to triangles and squares. The feel-good factor will keep you coming back for more, leading to long-term benefits.