Did you know creative minds make healthy hearts? New APA poll suggests, creativity improves mental health and helps relieve stress or anxiety.
In a recent survey, it turns out nearly half of Americans (46%) are using their creative superpowers to find relief from stress. From playing the piano to crocheting, dancing with friends, or solving crossword puzzles, these fun activities are their secret weapons.
What’s fascinating is that those who rate their mental health as excellent or very good are the real creativity champs. They embrace these creative endeavors more frequently than those who feel fair or poor mentally.
Read more here: What Emotions Help Creativity? Why Creativity Is Not Solely Dependent on Happiness
How Creativity Improves Mental Health?
The survey, conducted by Morning Consult, quizzed 2,202 adults about their creative habits and mental well-being. The remarkable finding: 77% of American adults now consider their mental health as good or even better, a significant increase from earlier this year when it was just 63%.
Among those with top-notch mental health, a whopping 71% dive into creative pursuits regularly. On the other hand, only half of those with good mental health and a mere 46% of those with fair or poor mental health engage in creative activities.
Dr. Petros Levounis, President of the American Psychiatric Association (APA), understands that times can be tough, and that’s why he champions creative activities as stress-busters.
Whether it’s picking up a paintbrush or tackling a mind-bending puzzle, these activities offer a mental escape, a chance to use our brains in a different way, and an opportunity to unwind from the daily grind.
Read more here: The 3 Defining Qualities of Highly Creative People
So, when and why do Americans unlock their creative side? Well, most people (65%) turn to their creative passions during their free time. And guess what? Forty-six percent of them are seeking relief from stress and anxiety through these imaginative pursuits.
Feeling bored? That’s another trigger for 37% of respondents. Some even find solace in creative activities while working (19%) or when facing challenging times (14%).
Now, let’s talk about the cool creative choices Americans make. The top pick to combat stress and anxiety is listening to music (77%).
But that’s not all! 39% of people also find joy in solving puzzles, 25% in singing or dancing, 24% drawing, painting, or sculpting, 19% crafting, and 16% creative writing.
And guess what? There’s even more!
Fifteen percent are concert enthusiasts, 14% love creating online content for fun, 13% are musical maestros playing instruments, 9% savor art museum visits, and 11% explore other creative activities like gardening or cooking.
Dr. Saul Levin, CEO, and Medical Director of the APA, highlights how creativity improves mental health and how crucial these activities are for self-expression and taking a breather from our hectic routines.
Just like chatting with friends, going for a walk in nature, or hitting the gym, creative pastimes work wonders for our mental health. Dr. Levin is thrilled to see these positive actions gaining attention in discussions about mental well-being.
10 Creative Activities For Mental Health
Engage in these mental health boosting creative activities at least once a week and relieve your stress today!
- Painting or drawing
- Writing or journaling
- Playing a musical instrument
- Crafting or DIY projects
- Photography or videography
- Dancing or learning a new dance routine
- Cooking or baking
- Gardening or tending to plants
- Playing with clay or sculpting
- Exploring new artistic techniques or styles.
So, America, now that you know creativity improves mental growth wave goodbye to stress! Your favorite hobbies might just be the superheroes you need to conquer the challenges of life.
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