5 Ways Creative Flow Improves Your Health

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Welcome to the latest episode of Unlocking Your Greatness with Wendy Bjork. Wendy is an international bestselling author, nationally syndicated columnist, inspirational speaker and founder of HeartsOfWellness.com. 

Her mission is to empower women navigating Multiple Sclerosis to build a strong Foundation of Wellbeing: One Whole-istic™ Step at a Time.  

She understands this journey well, as she has been living with Multiple Sclerosis for over three decades, since the age of 15.  She has been inspired to lead other women on a healing path after realizing the gaps in care that affect so many. Her techniques have been personally tested and embraced by many

She is the proud Momma to two amazing young men and in her free time she loves to read all about ancient history and travel to either the majestic mountains or the peaceful beaches.

 

How Creativity Improves Our Health

While some may view creativity as a soft skill that doesn’t directly contribute to college or career success, the truth is that being creative has numerous health benefits. In fact, it’s been shown to improve a person’s mental and emotional health in a variety of ways, from easing anxiety to helping individuals process trauma.

Artistic activities such as sculpting, gardening or painting stimulate motor skills while activating parts of the brain responsible for decision-making, problem-solving and emotion regulation. This allows individuals to experience a sense of emotional harmony as they immerse themselves in their work. In addition, artistic ventures are a great way to socialize with others, combatting feelings of loneliness and isolation that are linked to poor health.

Creativity also encourages out-of-the-box thinking, stimulating both the right and left sides of the brain. This cognitive stimulation helps improve problem-solving and mental agility, making it easier to cope with daily stressors.

For those suffering from chronic illnesses, the positive effects of creativity are even greater. Studies have shown that engaging in regular creative routines, from photography to adult coloring books, can help reduce depression and anxiety, improve sleep quality, delay the onset of dementia and aid in fighting certain health conditions.

In addition to its mental health benefits, being creative can also help relieve physical pain. Artistic pursuits, such as sculpting or painting, can soothe joint and muscle pain by blocking out distracting stimuli and allowing individuals to focus on their craft. Similarly, listening to music can alleviate the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and other forms of inflammatory diseases by reducing inflammation, decreasing pain levels and enhancing relaxation.

Being creative can also improve one’s ability to navigate through difficult situations by encouraging individuals to see life’s possibilities. This perspective, which is promoted by being creative, can help individuals develop resiliency and cope with the challenges of chronic illnesses, such as multiple sclerosis.

While the benefits of being creative are plentiful, many adults don’t regularly engage in creative pursuits. This may be due to a perception that they don’t have the “talent” to create or the belief that being creative isn’t as important as other life skills, such as cooking and cleaning.

However, a growing body of research shows that being creative is a critical part of living well and can have a powerful impact on both physical and mental health. As a result, it’s essential that everyone set aside time to engage in creative pursuits, whether through painting, writing or playing music.

To support you in creating a path to your dream life with simple steps, download your copy of the Hearts of Wellness 30-Day Journal + Blueprint Bundle Towards Living Your Best Life at heartsofwellness.com/you. It will support you in keeping your desired outcomes all in one place along with the Blueprint which will help you take small steps daily towards a better view of yourself. Benefit from improved self-talk, as well as writing your weekly gratitude list and celebrating your weekly wins. Discovering and living by your personalized playbook are important steps we can create together!

 

If you feel a safe, supportive, drama-free environment without the censorship of social media sounds like a breath of  fresh air,  join the  free Hearts of Wellness Community for women on their #MS holistic healing journey ~ HeartsofWellness.com/Community!

 

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