ISBN 9781352005790. Visit macmillanihe.com for more information about this book
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Do I …?
Express yourself creatively
Draw, paint, colour, cook …
How can this help? Research has associated happiness and greater feelings of satisfaction with being creative – just for the joy of it. By contrast, creating with a set goal such as a final product or meeting a deadline is associated more with stress. Creativity is associated with the totality of the experience of positive and negative emotions.89,90 Any kind of creative expression, even colouring or cooking can absorb your interest, taking your focus off your worries and easing stress.91
Considering your responses If your responses suggest you lack a creative outlet, consider what you enjoy or what interests you and start with that. It could be drawing, colouring, gardening, acting, designing a room, making a toy. Be open to just playing, experimenting, enjoying, messing up and trying again. Creativity works best if you do it for the love of it rather than to be perfect.
See also Ways 11, 21, 27, 30, 50 84 50 Ways to Manage Stress
1. Do I avoid creative expression because I think I am not ‘artistic’? Yes
No
2. Do I inhibit myself creatively because of fears of what others might think? Yes
No
3. Do I have a way of expressing myself creatively? Yes
No
To do. I will …
ISBN 9781352005790. Visit macmillanihe.com for more information about this book
Find your creative outlet!
Make time for creativity Put time aside in the day so it doesn’t get squeezed out.
Stimulate creativity Use music, pictures, video, nature, art, history, science for inspiration.
Take a playful approach Just see where your ideas or the material themselves lead you.
Don’t be over-judgemental If you produce something that looks truly dreadful, just laugh and have another go.
Enjoy the process Find pleasure in just doing it.
Use all your senses Take in the colours, shapes, tones, sounds, smells, and feel of things.
Don’t over-think it Let your unconscious have space to express itself through what you make. Don’t be over-controlling.
Let the feelings out Use the opportunity to express what is going on for you.
Express yourself creatively 85