Why everyone needs a creative outlet
Many people believe in order to be classified as creative you need to be a superb artist who produces masterpieces. Not so at all! Everyone can tap into their creativity as each and every person has an ability to express themselves in different ways. Creating art has a multitude of benefits and leaves you with the satisfaction of having an outlet for your thoughts and emotions. Here are some of the benefits of having a creative outlet in your life.
Relieves stress
Creating art relieves stress as you focus on the details of the work you are creating rather than the details of your life. It provides a distraction from the stresses of life and it gives your brain a break from ticking over as you immerse yourself in your creative endeavour. Leonardo da Vinci said, “Painting embraces all the ten functions of the eye; that is to say, darkness, light, body and colour, shape and location, distance and closeness, motion and rest.”
Improves resilience
Every time you involve yourself in a new activity, you create connections between brain cells. The ability for your brain to grow connections and change through life is referred to as brain plasticity. When you create art, you are stimulating the communication between different parts of your brain. Due to this stimulation and connection, art has been shown to increase resilience. Dr Jakob Pietshnig led a study which found that intelligence is related to the number of connections in the brain, not the size of the brain.
Increases empathy
A study of 10,000 students found that a trip to an art museum changed the way they thought and felt. The research observed that not only did the students increase in critical thinking but they had greater empathy for those who have lived in the past and those who were different to themselves. Art is storytelling and allows communication to flow from abstract to literal meaning. If you want to communicate a bit about yourself you will achieve this in your creative outlet. If you want to understand perspectives different than your own or find out what other minds are experiencing, then view other people’s art.
Boosts self-confidence
It is easy to see the happiness in a child’s eye when their artwork is pinned on the fridge for all the admire. You can also experience this same happiness. Making art increases the “feel good” neurotransmitter dopamine. Dopamine influences motivation levels and increases drive and focus. Once you have achieved what you set out to do, dopamine gives you a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment. You don’t have to produce masterpieces to feel accomplished. Whatever your goal may be, enjoy pushing the boundaries of your creativity and embarking outside your comfort zone.
What’s your creative outlet? Let us know in the comments below.