Photo Credit: Deeana Creates via www.pexels.com
Did you ever think that the reason why you might love to create things is primarily because it feels so good? Well, I have and there is something to that. As it turns out, creating in our spare time is excellent for our physical and mental health. Here’s how.
Stress Relief
When it comes to our health there seems to be few things as important and diminishing stress and creating is one of the best ways to do that. First, let’s take a look at what stress can do to you. It causes heart issues like high blood pressure and heart disease as well as diabetes.
That’s not all. When you stress too much you might be shrinking your brain. Studies have shown the prefrontal cortex, which is in charge of your memory and helps you learn. These few issues are plenty of reasons for me to do what I can to reduce my stress.
Luckily, when you pick up your favourite hobby, be it sewing or drawing cartoons, the action forces your mind to focus and it helps relax you.
Happy Feelings
I create because it makes me happy. It’s that simple. It’s one of the main reasons why people like us get into arts and crafts in the first place. Unfortunately, some people reading this might think that they are not creative or they “don’t have an artistic bone in their body.” I’m here to challenge that thought.
Creating something from a few pieces of fabric or paper is satisfying and gives off a feeling of accomplishment, which has no other reaction than happiness. You don’t have to be good at sewing to do it and create. In fact, the more you do it, the better you will get. Just make sure you have a good chair. Check here for some comfortable choices.
A Boost in Confidence
As we just pointed out, accomplishing a goal, like cooking a meal, is a satisfying feeling. Confidence boosting is an instant reward when you dive into your creative endeavours. The more you do it, the more confidence you get.
For example, the first dish you ever made might have been a hard boiled egg with a piece of burnt toast. But you kept at it, and you’ve learned new techniques and now you can whip up a batch of baked figs faster than anyone you know. When you first started out you probably felt inadequate but now, you have the assurance of a master chef.
Confidence doesn’t always come instantly. It has to be earned. And creating something, and learning about a craft, will give you the confidence you need that will bleed into other areas of your life.
Become More Empathetic
For years, educators have been using the humanities and art to help students learn empathy. Art has the ability to create a unique connection with mediums and with other humans. Simply looking at art can help the viewer understand life from another’s perspective. When you create or look at art one learns to think critically.
Thinking critically is important in every aspect of life, whether you plan on working with artists or mathematicians, the ability to clearly create a systematic solution to problems that might arise is a skill you can use anywhere. And you are able to think critically when you are empathetic.
It Strengthens Your Focus
We would all love to give all of our attention to one thing at a time but life doesn’t work that way if you are working a full-time job, taking care of a family, and trying to be creative in your spare time. Yet, there are projects that require our full attention so being able to focus well is a great skill to obtain.
Creating puts the creator in “the zone”, as some call it. This is when you lose all track of anything else that might need doing and are completely immersed into your art. When this happens nothing else matters and all of your focus, your heart and your soul is into your art. Achieving this state teaches us how to maintain focus when we need it.
Can Aid With Cognitive Decline
When we age our brains start to decline just like the rest of our bodies. To stave off osteoporosis, women take calcium and eat foods that will help. It makes sense that, if there is a way to strengthen your brain, you might try it as you age to avoid dementia.
A study in 2017 conducted at the Mayo Clinic showed that when people over 70 created art their risk of cognitive issues was significantly lowered.
Conclusion
With all the benefits art can bring to your life don’t you just want to run out and get some supplies? There are so many cool art mediums to work in, you don’t have to pick just one. Try your hand at several. Most artists work in more than one medium to keep their interest alive. You will find your path, and grab all the benefits you can by creating art.