The Psychological Benefits of Creating
-
Staying in Artistic Shape
Have you ever noticed how doodling in the corner of a notebook instantly makes you feel calmer? Or perhaps for you it is sewing, baking, strumming a few cords on the guitar?
We were all creative once
The truth is, creating is something we’ve all done since the very beginning. As children, we build towers with blocks, smear paint with our fingers, make ‘music’ with wooden spoons and invent wild stories with crayons and scraps of paper. We don’t stop to ask ourselves, “Is this any good?” — we simply create, because it feels good. Conversely, we do stop when we reach a stage in life where someone else (or our inner voice) tells us we are not actually very good at it!
If you’re just starting out as an artist, you might think that making art is about producing something polished or impressive. But really, it’s about tapping back into that natural, joyful impulse you’ve carried since childhood. Creating isn’t only about the image that ends up on the page, it’s about what happens inside of you when you take that creative leap. Answering the call to create helps us to reconnect with ourselves.
The “sciency” stuff
In an article in the Financial Times, 9 Jan 24, Jemima Kelly presents her findings from neurological research into an area called “neurasthenics”, which studies the brain’s response to aesthetic experience. Scientists note that perceiving art and beauty can have similar effects as mindfulness “by lowering stress responses, “reducing cortisol and moving us into our parasympathetic “rest and digest” state”. Not only that but Jemima goes on to mention other studies which have shown positive effects on life expectancy with regular artistic activity.
-
5 Common Mistakes to avoid when Drawing
Have you ever noticed how doodling in the corner of a notebook instantly makes you feel calmer? Or perhaps for you it is sewing, baking, strumming a few cords on the guitar?
We were all creative once
The truth is, creating is something we’ve all done since the very beginning. As children, we build towers with blocks, smear paint with our fingers, make ‘music’ with wooden spoons and invent wild stories with crayons and scraps of paper. We don’t stop to ask ourselves, “Is this any good?” — we simply create, because it feels good. Conversely, we do stop when we reach a stage in life where someone else (or our inner voice) tells us we are not actually very good at it!
If you’re just starting out as an artist, you might think that making art is about producing something polished or impressive. But really, it’s about tapping back into that natural, joyful impulse you’ve carried since childhood. Creating isn’t only about the image that ends up on the page, it’s about what happens inside of you when you take that creative leap. Answering the call to create helps us to reconnect with ourselves.
The “sciency” stuff
In an article in the Financial Times, 9 Jan 24, Jemima Kelly presents her findings from neurological research into an area called “neurasthenics”, which studies the brain’s response to aesthetic experience. Scientists note that perceiving art and beauty can have similar effects as mindfulness “by lowering stress responses, “reducing cortisol and moving us into our parasympathetic “rest and digest” state”. Not only that but Jemima goes on to mention other studies which have shown positive effects on life expectancy with regular artistic activity.
-
Overcoming Fear – The Big Blank Page
Have you ever noticed how doodling in the corner of a notebook instantly makes you feel calmer? Or perhaps for you it is sewing, baking, strumming a few cords on the guitar?
We were all creative once
The truth is, creating is something we’ve all done since the very beginning. As children, we build towers with blocks, smear paint with our fingers, make ‘music’ with wooden spoons and invent wild stories with crayons and scraps of paper. We don’t stop to ask ourselves, “Is this any good?” — we simply create, because it feels good. Conversely, we do stop when we reach a stage in life where someone else (or our inner voice) tells us we are not actually very good at it!
If you’re just starting out as an artist, you might think that making art is about producing something polished or impressive. But really, it’s about tapping back into that natural, joyful impulse you’ve carried since childhood. Creating isn’t only about the image that ends up on the page, it’s about what happens inside of you when you take that creative leap. Answering the call to create helps us to reconnect with ourselves.
The “sciency” stuff
In an article in the Financial Times, 9 Jan 24, Jemima Kelly presents her findings from neurological research into an area called “neurasthenics”, which studies the brain’s response to aesthetic experience. Scientists note that perceiving art and beauty can have similar effects as mindfulness “by lowering stress responses, “reducing cortisol and moving us into our parasympathetic “rest and digest” state”. Not only that but Jemima goes on to mention other studies which have shown positive effects on life expectancy with regular artistic activity.
-
Why Do We Create?
Have you ever noticed how doodling in the corner of a notebook instantly makes you feel calmer? Or perhaps for you it is sewing, baking, strumming a few cords on the guitar?
We were all creative once
The truth is, creating is something we’ve all done since the very beginning. As children, we build towers with blocks, smear paint with our fingers, make ‘music’ with wooden spoons and invent wild stories with crayons and scraps of paper. We don’t stop to ask ourselves, “Is this any good?” — we simply create, because it feels good. Conversely, we do stop when we reach a stage in life where someone else (or our inner voice) tells us we are not actually very good at it!
If you’re just starting out as an artist, you might think that making art is about producing something polished or impressive. But really, it’s about tapping back into that natural, joyful impulse you’ve carried since childhood. Creating isn’t only about the image that ends up on the page, it’s about what happens inside of you when you take that creative leap. Answering the call to create helps us to reconnect with ourselves.
The “sciency” stuff
In an article in the Financial Times, 9 Jan 24, Jemima Kelly presents her findings from neurological research into an area called “neurasthenics”, which studies the brain’s response to aesthetic experience. Scientists note that perceiving art and beauty can have similar effects as mindfulness “by lowering stress responses, “reducing cortisol and moving us into our parasympathetic “rest and digest” state”. Not only that but Jemima goes on to mention other studies which have shown positive effects on life expectancy with regular artistic activity.
-
Tools of the Trade
Have you ever noticed how doodling in the corner of a notebook instantly makes you feel calmer? Or perhaps for you it is sewing, baking, strumming a few cords on the guitar?
We were all creative once
The truth is, creating is something we’ve all done since the very beginning. As children, we build towers with blocks, smear paint with our fingers, make ‘music’ with wooden spoons and invent wild stories with crayons and scraps of paper. We don’t stop to ask ourselves, “Is this any good?” — we simply create, because it feels good. Conversely, we do stop when we reach a stage in life where someone else (or our inner voice) tells us we are not actually very good at it!
If you’re just starting out as an artist, you might think that making art is about producing something polished or impressive. But really, it’s about tapping back into that natural, joyful impulse you’ve carried since childhood. Creating isn’t only about the image that ends up on the page, it’s about what happens inside of you when you take that creative leap. Answering the call to create helps us to reconnect with ourselves.
The “sciency” stuff
In an article in the Financial Times, 9 Jan 24, Jemima Kelly presents her findings from neurological research into an area called “neurasthenics”, which studies the brain’s response to aesthetic experience. Scientists note that perceiving art and beauty can have similar effects as mindfulness “by lowering stress responses, “reducing cortisol and moving us into our parasympathetic “rest and digest” state”. Not only that but Jemima goes on to mention other studies which have shown positive effects on life expectancy with regular artistic activity.
-
The Psychological Benefits of Creating
Have you ever noticed how doodling in the corner of a notebook instantly makes you feel calmer? Or perhaps for you it is sewing, baking, strumming a few cords on the guitar?
We were all creative once
The truth is, creating is something we’ve all done since the very beginning. As children, we build towers with blocks, smear paint with our fingers, make ‘music’ with wooden spoons and invent wild stories with crayons and scraps of paper. We don’t stop to ask ourselves, “Is this any good?” — we simply create, because it feels good. Conversely, we do stop when we reach a stage in life where someone else (or our inner voice) tells us we are not actually very good at it!
If you’re just starting out as an artist, you might think that making art is about producing something polished or impressive. But really, it’s about tapping back into that natural, joyful impulse you’ve carried since childhood. Creating isn’t only about the image that ends up on the page, it’s about what happens inside of you when you take that creative leap. Answering the call to create helps us to reconnect with ourselves.
The “sciency” stuff
In an article in the Financial Times, 9 Jan 24, Jemima Kelly presents her findings from neurological research into an area called “neurasthenics”, which studies the brain’s response to aesthetic experience. Scientists note that perceiving art and beauty can have similar effects as mindfulness “by lowering stress responses, “reducing cortisol and moving us into our parasympathetic “rest and digest” state”. Not only that but Jemima goes on to mention other studies which have shown positive effects on life expectancy with regular artistic activity.
