Most people would agree that creativity is important. Perhaps the most important soft skill of the 21st century. After all, it enables us to come up with new ideas and solve problems in innovative ways.
But exactly why is creativity important? Thinkers have been asking this question for centuries, and there’s no simple answer. Some say that creativity is a fundamental human trait that sets us apart from other animals. Others claim it’s essential for productivity and innovation in the workplace.
Many also see creativity as a form of self-expression or art. However you see it, there’s no doubt that creativity is an important part of our lives. Here are five reasons why:
Creativity Helps Clarify Your Thoughts and Feelings
The mind can be a chaotic place. It can feel like you’re chasing one thought or feeling after another like a dog chasing every car he sees. Traditional ways of outlining your thoughts and feelings are often too linear and don’t encompass what’s going on.
More creative ways like journaling, mind-mapping, and even drawing let you release the contents of your mind without restrictions. When you don’t judge yourself and let your thoughts and feelings run free, you’ll get more clarity on them. The process of putting them out in a creative way makes them more real and solid.
Creativity Improves Mental Health
The average person has about 60,000 thoughts in a day. Creative activities such as crafting can help focus the mind and have even been compared to meditation due to its calming effects on the brain and body. Even just gardening or sewing releases dopamine, a natural anti-depressant.
Creativity reduces anxiety, depression, and stress and it can also help you process trauma. Studies have found that writing helps people manage their negative emotions in a productive way, and painting or drawing helps people express trauma or experiences that they find too difficult to put into words.
Creativity Relieves Stress
Research shows that being creative relieves stress. This is important because stress is like poison to humans. Stress can cause a wide variety of health problems, some of them serious, and significantly affect our happiness. Being creative is like a soothing balm. It can increase positive thoughts and feelings of peace.
Creativity Helps Reduce Dementia
Creativity goes beyond just making you happy. It’s also an effective treatment for patients with dementia. Studies show that creative engagement not only reduces depression and isolation but can also help people with dementia tap back into their personalities and sharpen their senses.
Creativity can make you more productive
Creative people have open, active minds. They’re usually buzzing with ideas and soaking up inspiration from the world around them. This often makes them more productive because they’re bringing more to the table than someone who doesn’t open their mind to what’s around them. Creative people are always looking for new ways to solve problems, as well, which sparks innovation and increased efficiency. It’s a valued skill in any field.