“Creativity is as important as math and science” ~ USA Today
According to the United Nations: “We stand firm in our commitment to protect and promote the right to freedom of expression, including artistic and creative expression. In addition to being an integral part of the protected human right to freedom of expression, artistic and creative expression is critical to the human spirit, the development of vibrant cultures, and the functioning of democratic societies. Artistic expression connects us all, transcending borders and barriers”. ~ This quote has come from a joint statement made by 57 State Members at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva and delivered by Ambassador Janis Karklins, the Permanent Representative of Latvia to the United Nations on September 18, 2015
Engaging a dynamic creative process can teach you how to problem solve in a more abstract manner instead of a more formally driven manner. That way when you come upon a problem, you have a skill set to come up with a creative, unique, and out of the box way to solve a problem.
Yes, science and math are essential, especially in today’s world. However, if we place primary emphasis on left brain aspects, we are deprived of an element of self-expression that drives healing, wholeness, and connection to the Sacred.
Steve Jobs once said “It is in Apple’s DNA that technology alone is not enough—its technology married with liberal arts, married with the humanities, that yields us the results that make our heart sing.”
While dedicated creativity time is as vital is a walk in nature, or a shower, it’s everyday creativity that most of us ache for.
The concept of everyday creativity was defined, assessed, and validated in 1988 by Ruth Richards, Dennis Kinney, and colleagues at Harvard Medical School. They defined it as expressions of originality and meaningfulness.
“It’s too bad that when considering what endeavors may be creative, people immediately think of the arts,” laments Michele Root-Bernstein, co-author with Robert Root-Bernstein of Sparks of Genius. “It’s the problem-solving processes they exhibit rather than the content, craft, or art that make them so. Just about anything we do can be addressed in a creative manner, from housecleaning to personal hobbies to work.”
The first step to increasing your creativity quotient is believing you can. Even if no one has ever assigned the adjective “original” to anything you have ever done, you must acknowledge that you have inventive powers. Don’t think about making something from nothing or exposing your deepest feelings—just acknowledge that you can solve problems better if you approach them with a different mind-set. The Root-Bernsteins cite playful experimentation, a willingness to learn from mistakes, and persistence as keys to unlocking creativity.
Engaging in creative behaviors makes us more:
- dynamic
- conscious and self-actualized
- non-defensive
- observant
- collaborative
- confident and brave
- resilient
- present moment focused
- connected to the world
- able to earn more money
Benefits of Creativity according to NIH study published in Am. Journal of Public Health 2/2010
- Reduces stress, anxiety, negative emotions, and depression
- Fills voids and distracted thoughts of illness
- Benefits Immune function
- Improved medical outcomes
- Improves brain function
- Improves flow, function, expression of emotions, positive identity, and social networks.
“Through creativity and imagination, we find our identity and our reservoir of healing.” ~NIH study
Creating significantly lowers cortisol/stress levels within 45min. – Click Here to Read Article
“Creativity embeds knowledge so that it can become practice. We move what we’re learning from our heads to our hearts through our hands. Creativity is the ultimate act of integration.” ~Brene Brown (Author, Speaker, Researcher)
Over 500 people responded to a survey conducted by the Intentional Creativity Foundation.
*93% said they experience creativity as a mindfulness practice
*89% said they include creativity in their spiritual practice
*89% felt a sense of connection with the Divine
*86% felt that their creative practice positively impacted those closest to them
*92% feel that creativity influences their self compassion and self worth (maybe you’ve heard the concept that our ‘self-worth’ greatly affects our ‘net worth’?)
*90% said they experienced compassion for others near them through practicing intentional creativity
*83% experienced compassion for others they did not know, through stories they heard
*87% consider themselves self expressed as compared to before they were creating
*86% said they have experienced breakthroughs and aha’s during painting specifically
*77% said they choose painting specifically to work through a chosen breakthrough
*90% said they have experienced a shift in their default thinking
*88% Experienced a shift in their personal abundance story through creating with intention
*89% bring insights back into their life that they discovered while engaging with the creative process
*85% said they experienced an expanded sense of self
*79% noticed an ease of physical symptoms while creating
*93% experience creating as a relief that benefits their overall well being
*90% have experienced a shift in recurring emotional pain through creative process
*90% said that creativity helped them maintain a healthier outlook on life allowing them to receive more abundance
More Resources:
Art Therapy Research Papers…
http://www.journals.elsevier.com/the-arts-in-psychotherapy
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0197455615300319
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0197455616300636
http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17439760.2016.1257049?scroll=top&needAccess=true&
Articles:
Why Making Art is the New Meditation
Colors Are How Your Brain Makes the World
Research Abstract for Colors and Brain Article (above)
7 science-backed reasons you should make art, even if you’re bad at it
Stress-related hormone cortisol lowers significantly after just 45 minutes of art creation