Cultivate a creative outlet

Researchers have shown that participating in creative therapies – such as art, performance, writing or playing music – has been shown to reduce stress, anxiety, distress, depression, and negative emotion. Additionally, engaging in creative activities keeps your mind more resilient and youthful too.

Creativity requires openness and flexibility, which are important to keep your brain more plastic. Meaning it is easier for you to adapt to new ways of thinking.

Also, when you paint a picture, write a story, or play an instrument it’s impossible not to give it your full attention. We become immersed and therefore distracted from our stressors. When we walk away from the creative session, no matter what it was (or how well we judge our efforts), we tend to have a clearer mind.

Creativity is more than just a distractor; it also promotes healthy expression. We can tap into deep emotions and let them out and in turn, get to a deeper level of self-awareness.

If you are struggling to incorporate a meditation practice into your life; engaging in creativity provides some similar benefits. It requires concentration and focused thought for an extended period, causing you to bring your full attention to the current moment. Time expands. We become more insightful. We gain clarity and perspective.

My gorgeous mum started painting a few years ago and is constantly surprising me with her beautiful creations. Remember my dog Ralph? Check out this gorgeous portrait. She captured his personality perfectly.

You don’t need to be Picasso to engage in creativity. Turn it into a game with your family. Play Pictionary together. Or play a simple improv game at the dinner table. One person starts a story with a simple line, such as ‘It was an icy cold night…’ and the next person fills in the next line of the story and so on. Warning, depending on the age of your children (if you have them), you may need to ban certain words such as ‘poo’, ‘bum’ or ‘wee’ to ensure full creative expression.

Most importantly, do something you enjoy and have fun.