Let’s get creative
Did you know that creativity is essential to brain development and overall well being?
I bet that this is not surprising information for you. It’s a lot like when we say people need nature and that being out in nature is really good for us. I can show you a bunch of studies (and there are a lot of studies), but you might not even need to see them to know that this is true.
Creativity is like that. We know being creative and engaging in forms of art that speak to us impacts us in a really positive way. And yet, so many of us leave art in our past. So many of us played an instrument, wrote poetry, painted, sculpted, danced, or sang when we were kids. But how many of us continued to engage in that creative expression as adults. Not nearly as many.
And yet — much like spending time in nature, expressing ourselves with creativity is uncomplicated and really, really good for us.
First, the research. (I mean, I am a doctor, after all — I love a good study). And we have many studies to support the importance and power of creativity. Studies have shown that playing an instrument improves executive function, which includes things like working memory, focus, organization, planning, and self-control. Essentially, executive function is the set of abilities that allows us to manage everyday tasks and problem solve. A recent literature review (a study when someone looks over a lot of different studies) suggested that “musical instrumental practice (MIP) seems more effective in driving cognitive development and associated brain plasticity than other leisure activities.” Children who engage in the arts are better learners, and art-based programs enhance creativity, foster creative activities, and improve academic performance. There is even research supporting that arts participation improves self esteem! This can be especially important as our children approach adolescence, as this is the time when our children’s self esteem tends to decline — and yet overall self-esteem is linked to lifelong development and well-being.
And these are just a few of the studies supporting how powerfully creativity affects our brains and our lives. This topic is also the focus of the book “Your brain on art: how the arts transform us.”
The great news is — it’s really easy to reconnect with our own creativity and help our children connect with theirs as well. One of the key pieces is recognizing that we are creating art for the purpose of: creating art. We are focused on the process — on the creating — not on the outcome. Taking a class can be lovely, but not if we start criticizing ourselves or comparing ourselves to others. It is simply about expressing our inner world through an art form — whether that is movement, sound, paint, words, or flavors — since, yes, even cooking can be a creative act!
If you noticed that the “categories” of creative choices mirror the five senses, you are correct! And that makes sense. Some people gravitate towards words to express what’s within them, but creativity often helps us express what is beyond words. And what is beyond words can be expressed by our bodies through our senses.
If your child is quite young, all you need to do is give them paper and paints, ask them to sing you a song, or make up a dance or tell you a made up story.
For older children, you can inquire what they like to do — what helps them unwind when they are feeling wound up? You may be surprised at how well they know their creative language. Help them prioritize their creative expression and support their ongoing engagement with it.
And for adults — like you, perhaps — start a morning practice of writing. Write anything. You can draw, too. If you’re not sure of the kind of creativity that speaks to you, fear not. With a little time (sometimes hardly any time at all, in fact), you will begin to remember what you like to do. It might be something you did when you were younger or something that has caught your attention in adulthood. The important part here is to recognize its importance and to prioritize it in your life. For a deeper dive into recovering your creativity, the books “The Artist’s Way” and “Big Magic” can be deeply helpful.
It may feel awkward at first, but soon, you will begin to remember — and recover — the artist within.