Creativity is a human-specific characteristic, and much research has been done in regards to how engaging in creative pursuits benefits our well-being. Creativity can help us to practice focus, express our emotions and decrease anxiety.

One such study, conducted by BBC Arts, found that even engaging in creative activities for a short period of time can help us to improve our mood. From this research, it was determined that creativity can help us in three different ways.

First, engaging in creative practices can be a distraction technique to refocus our attention from stressful situations.

Secondly, creativity can be a means of contemplation, to help us to problem-solve and create ways of addressing our concerns.

Thirdly, utilizing our creativity can help us to build our feelings of confidence and self-worth.

It’s important to note that it is simply the act of engaging a creative project that helps us to feel good; we can be absolute beginners and still gain great benefit from engagement in these activities.

For many of us, now may be a good time to put our creativity into practice. Creative projects can take many different forms, from cooking to painting, knitting to planting a garden, sculpture to at home organization, playing with a child to writing short stories… there are a myriad of possibilities!

Creative activities should provide room for experimentation, imagination and flexibility. Whether the activity is something you are trying for the first time, or something that you have practiced for decades, be sure to keep judgmental thoughts about what you create to a minimum, and allow yourself to experience joy and pride for whatever it is you choose to create.

This is a challenging time for all of us, so please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need support. I can be reached by calling the Telluride Medical Center at 970-728-3848, or if you are a patient of Telluride Medical Center, by messaging me through the Telluride Medical Center portal.

If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, please call The Center for Mental Health’s crisis line at 970.252.6220.

Be well,

Lindsay Wright

Lindsay Wright | Behavioral Health
Telluride Medical Center