This year I lost someone very special to me and in turn I lost myself a little too. Thankfully I have managed to come out the other side and I used creativity to help heal my anxiety and depression...along with a little therapy obviously haha!. Does that mean I never have to suffer again when something comes along to test my resolve? Well no. But it does mean I have tools to help me work through emotions in a healthy way, instead of masking them, like I used to do, with some slightly more unhealthy tools.
The journey of healing from grief and managing depression or low mood is as diverse as the human experience itself. In recent years, the medium of creativity as a therapeutic outlet has gained significant recognition, both in the realms of my own personal stories and scientific research. From the tactile pleasures of sewing and knitting to the expressive flows of dance and painting, creative activities offer a unique pathway towards emotional healing and psychological resilience. I wanted to explore my own experience of creativity and its proven benefits in to help with my well-being. I felt like I was doing all the right things...journaling, meditating, walking in nature. So why did I still feel like complete shit??
The Science of Creative Healing
The therapeutic benefits of engaging in creative activities are increasingly supported by research. A study published in the Journal of Positive Psychology highlights that people who engage in everyday creative activities had better mental health outcomes, even into the following day*. Similarly, the American Journal of Public Health review underscores the connection between art-making and decreases in stress and anxiety levels. But here is the kicker...you don't have to be amazing at it. The simple act of taking time, giving something a go, having some assemblance of something at the end to show for your efforts? That is the win. That is what makes it work. Even in my case, when all I had was some dead plants, it was fine. There was a whole packet of seeds to go back to. I like to play pattern Tetris so there is always fabric left over to cut another neckband.
What is being creative? What does it look like? Do I need to be painting and dancing naked around a firepit?? Nope, here are some ideas and what they can do to help:
Sewing and Knitting: These activities offer a rhythmic, meditative quality, promoting mindfulness and reducing stress. They also result in tangible outcomes, providing a sense of accomplishment. Putting on your first scarf? Priceless! Twirling in your first circle skirt? You become an actual Disney Princess. Fact.
Gardening: Tending to plants and engaging with the outdoors can improve mood, decrease stress, and promote a sense of belonging and connection to the earth. Research is linking touching soil can help our bodies produce serotonin and balance the gut biome according to an article in Psychology Today.** Gardening gives a connection like no other, we are built to be in touch with the ground and soil.
Baking and Cooking: The process of measuring, mixing, and the sensory experiences involved can serve as a form of mindfulness practice, enhancing feelings of pleasure and achievement. Have you ever cooked for someone and just listened to them eat? No, I don't mean feeding the kids, they like nothing. But people that you love and that love you too. Listen to the noises they make when they eat food you made for them. Elation.
Dance: Dance combines physical activity with artistic expression, helping to reduce stress, improve mood, and increase self-esteem. My friends and I have this running joke "feel the music". It was my favourite thing to do on a night out. Let go, let the music move you.
Papercraft and Calligraphy: These crafts improve focus and concentration, offering a peaceful escape from the noise of everyday life while fostering a sense of beauty and precision. My niece is so talented at papercraft and my brother has dabbled in calligraphy since he was a teenager. Amazing art work can be made with nothing more than pen and paper.
Woodworking: The tactile nature of working with wood and the concentration required can be incredibly grounding, reducing anxiety and promoting a sense of presence. Unearthing the grain of the wood and making something beautiful with it, or even just whittling a knife. This is a basic skill and is so satisfying.
Painting and Drawing: These visual arts allow for the expression of emotions that might be difficult to articulate verbalise. Painting can give the outlet needed, providing a safe exploration and expression. It is interpretive so everything is art when considered so.
Creative Writing: Writing offers a way to articulate and process emotions, experiences, and thoughts, promoting understanding and healing. I loved this in school and still sometimes like to play the...what if we won the lotto game. It is essentially flexing that same muscle without realising it.
Singing and Music: Engaging with music, whether creating it or listening, can have profound effects on emotional well-being, reducing stress and even improving physical health. I have used lullaby's with all my kids. I loved singing in choirs when I was younger and so this is where I get my hits now. The release though you get from blasting out a power ballad when your emotions are high can be very cathartic.
Crochet: Similar to knitting, crochet offers a rhythmic, repetitive activity that can soothe the mind and reduce feelings of stress. Crochet is so much quicker as well, so if you like a quick win, crochet may be what you need right now.
Flower Arranging: Working with flowers and plants can boost mood, reduce stress, and improve indoor environments, making them more pleasant and calming. Flowers combine the visual with the sensory creating beautiful aromas in the home.
Personal Reflections on the Healing Power of Creativity
While my own journey has deeply connected with sewing, knitting, and gardening, it's clear that the spectrum of creativity offers numerous pathways to healing. Each craft or activity carries its own unique blend of benefits, from the focused calm of calligraphy to the physical release of dance. While I may not have personal experience with every form of creative expression, the universal thread that binds them is their capacity to transform, heal, and provide solace. This all being said, full disclosure is important. Did I get here through craft alone? No. I have had the benefit of a support network in family that surround me and friends that I have been able to confide in. I also took the initiative to seek private help with therapy from BetterHelp. This isn't as ad haha! There are enough of those but I wanted to share the fact that I truly found help in my sessions with BetterHelp. NHS waiting list was going to be at least 18 months. I knew I didn't have 18 months so I took steps to get help sooner. I signed up and applied for the discount they offer, I didn't need to show proof of income or anything, I just told them my circumstances and they issued a discount. If you are suffering with your mental health then please think about them as an option. Phone the Samaritans on 116 123, or follow the link to speak to someone online for someone to talk to, lean into your relationships with friends or family and let them know where you are at mentally and emotionally. Find yourself in your craft. Get into nature. Touch something real. Feel something real. I hope you a well supported recovery.
Expanding the Creative Toolkit
Encouraging a broad exploration of creative outlets is vital. Not everyone will find comfort in the same activities, and it's important to discover what resonates personally. For those dealing with grief or navigating through periods of low mood, experimenting with different forms of creativity can be a powerful way to find a unique, personal means of expression and healing. For me it was sewing and gardening that were my main comforts, especially because gardening was something my great aunt enjoyed so much. When I am in the garden I feel like she is close. When I sew, I sew for me and I have to say...I am the selfish sewing variety, I like to sew for me and feel good in my makes. You will find what sparks joy for you. It may change over time but there will be something creative that calls your name or did when you were a child and your hearing was better. Try that.
Conclusion: Embracing Creativity for Mental Well-being
The interplay between creativity and mental health is a dynamic field, rich with potential for exploration and discovery. As more research reveals the therapeutic benefits of creative activities, it's an invitation for everyone to explore the myriad ways in which creativity can enrich our lives and aid in our emotional healing journeys.
Incorporating creativity into our lives isn't just about finding a hobby; it's about discovering a personal sanctuary, a space where we can process, heal, and grow. Whether it's through the stitches of a knitting project, the strokes of a paintbrush, or the rhythm of a dance, creativity offers a profound way to connect with ourselves and navigate the complexities of our emotions. Let us embrace the vast spectrum of creative expression and find our own path to healing.
Happy Crafting, Fellow Creatives
Christine ;)
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If you are struggling with your mental health remember you can always speak to someone by ringing Samaritans on 116 123 or visiting the website https://www.samaritans.org/ni/
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