What are The Benefits of Engaging in our Creativity When We Feel Low?
It is completely normal to have days where we feel low.
Our emotions are complex and can fluctuate for a variety of reasons, including stress, hormonal changes, and life events. It’s important to acknowledge and validate our emotions, even when they are difficult or uncomfortable.
It is also important to practice self-care and seek support when needed, whether that means talking to a friend or therapist, engaging in a relaxing activity, or simply taking time for ourselves. Feeling low is a natural part of the human experience, and it does not define us.
There are different ways we can manage our emotions on the days that may seem harder, and one of the incredible tools we can engage in is tapping into our creativity. Creating something when we feel down can have a significant impact on our well-being.
Why is it so easy for us to consume content to switch off?
The incredible advances in technology make it so easy to consume high quality content (and some more questionable content), that are engaging, and often help us “wind down” after a big day. From Netflix, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Stan (and the list goes on) — there are so many avenues for us to click a few buttons to disengage from our daily stresses and switch off.
There is a significant difference between consuming and creating — especially when we feel low. When we consume things, whether it be TikTok videos, Reels, Movies, or even the News — we are often distracted from our emotions and feelings. While distraction may be a short term solution for us to relax, and provide temporary relief it doesn’t allow us to process and express our emotions in a healthy way. I.e. It’s not always the greatest long-term strategy to for us to feel grounded and rested after a stressful week.
What are the benefits of engaging in creativity on the days we feel low?
When we engage in the creative process, we are able to channel our emotions and feelings into something tangible. This process of expression can help us process and cope with our emotions in a more productive and healthy way, leading to a sense of relief and release.
Engaging in the creative process can look like playing a piece of music, painting, editing videos, journalling, dancing (and so on). When we channel our focus and energy to create something from scratch — it can provide us a sense of accomplishment and pride, which can boost our mood and overall mental health. This can be particularly helpful when we are feeling down or struggling with low mood.
Making time to explore our creativity can also be a powerful form of self-care, as it allows us to prioritise our own needs and take a break from the stressors of daily life. When we choose to do something creative, it means we’re actively engaging with our mind and body, which can allow us to process and express our emotions in a healthy way.
Is there evidence to support the benefits of creating something when we feel sad?
Studies have shown that engaging in creative activities can have a positive impact on our mental health, including reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression. Additionally, the act of creating can stimulate the release of dopamine in the brain, which can boost our mood and provide a sense of pleasure and reward. Creative expression has also been shown to improve our emotional regulation and coping skills, allowing us to better manage our emotions and deal with stress.
While consuming content can be a temporary distraction from our more difficult emotions, creating something can be a more effective way to deal with low mood. Scientific evidence also supports the idea that creating something when feeling sad can have numerous benefits for our emotional well-being. Engaging in our creativity on the days we feel low can have a positive impact on our emotional well-being and should be encouraged as a form of self-care.
