The Link Between Creativity and Happiness
By Beth Wilson, Accredited Life Coach
Wait, before you read this, I don’t want you to think ‘I’m not creative’. It’s simply not true. Not in my book anyway. I truly believe that everyone is creative, it just shows up in different ways. You might not feel typically creative or ‘arty’. But whether it’s painting, crafting, writing, the way you dress, decorating your home, dancing, or even problem-solving - you are engaging the creative side of your brain. And when we engage in creative activities, we significantly boost our mood and overall life satisfaction.
I wanted to get that bit out of the way. This blog is for you, whoever you are. I know when people come to my creative workshops they say things like “oh I’m not creative at all, but I’ll give it a go.” And you know what? They leave happy and proud of themselves for trying something.
Here’s some ways that creativity can make us happy:
Creativity to boost your mood
Research consistently shows us that there is a positive relationship between creativity and happiness. A study published in the Journal of Positive Psychology found that individuals who engage in small, daily creative activities experience higher levels of positive emotions and a sense of flourishing. And we could all do with a bit more of that, right?
These activities don’t have to be big, grand gestures. Journaling for 10 minutes or sketching a simple doodle can trigger a sense of accomplishment and joy.
Going with the flow
Have you ever had that feeling when you’re in the flow of something? The psychological concept of ‘flow’ was introduced by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. Flow is a state where time seems to vanish, and you are fully absorbed in something else. The act of creating often immerses individuals in a state of flow. Once you start, you can’t stop. So maybe it’s time to do just that. Start something.
Expressing yourself
For many, creative outlets provide a safe space for self-expression. It allows us to process emotions, reflect on experiences, and communicate thoughts that might be difficult to speak about. This is why art therapy has become a recognised practice for supporting mental health, helping people to cope with anxiety, depression, and trauma. It just shows creativity’s potential to serve not only as a happiness booster but also as a healing tool.
Reducing anxiety
An article by The Atlantic said, “If you have anxiety, or simply want a greater sense of wellbeing, getting creative is just about the best thing you can do.”
The same article cites an interesting study where neuroscientists observed people as they wrote poetry. The researchers found that during the idea-generation phase of writing, the medial prefrontal cortex (which is associated with mind-wandering) is especially active. This is the same part of the brain that is activated during meditation. Wow! So our brains can take us somewhere when we’re creating that reduces anxiety and puts us in a more meditative state.
I wonder if that works the same for watching people being creative? I find that therapeutic in itself. I can get lost in watching videos of people painting, there’s something really calming about it.
The connection between creativity and our brains - we love a little reward
From the brain side of things, tapping into our creativity activates our reward system in our brains. This releases dopamine - you’ve probably heard of this before - it’s the neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and motivation. This helps to explain why painting, crafting, or even experimenting with new recipes can feel so fulfilling.
Creativity is also linked to increased connectivity between different regions of the brain. These areas in the brain are responsible for things like flexible thinking and problem-solving, which can be empowering and contribute to having a more optimistic outlook on life.
So what are you waiting for?
Creativity and happiness share a dynamic, reciprocal relationship. By making time for creative pursuits, you can nurture a more joyful and resilient mindset. Whether it’s through painting, writing, or simply daydreaming, embracing creativity invites happiness to flourish in unexpected and meaningful ways.
Remember, you don’t need to be a professional artist to reap the benefits of creating. You don’t need all the gear either. There’s been a recent influx in people on TikTok posting videos about ‘junk journaling’ - showing you can be creative even with things that you were going to chuck in the bin. In fact, you don’t even need to be ‘good’.
The key is to just go for it, try something and get lost in the experience of creating, whatever it looks like. So, pick up that paintbrush, dust off your guitar, or try something entirely new - your happiness awaits.
I hope that’s given you some inspiration to tap into your creative side. If it’s left you wanting more, give me a follow on instagram @livehappy_coach - I’d love to connect with you and tag me in your creations!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Beth Wilson
Accredited Life Coach
Beth AKA Live Happy Coach, is an accredited life coach who specialises in happiness. Her mission is to help people live a happy life - whatever that looks like for them. She offers 1:1 coaching in Nottingham and online. She also hosts workshops (in person & online) on tools to help you live a happy life like, gratitude, staying motivated, confidence boosting etc, and more creative workshops like creating vision boards and journaling.
Instagram: @livehappy_coach
Website: livehappycoach.co.uk