7 surprising ways creativity can impact your mental health
Clinically reviewed by Dr. Chris Mosunic, PhD, RD, MBA
Being creative can be a great way to pass the time, but did you know it can also boost your mental health? Explore 7 reasons why being creative can improve your wellbeing.
If you’ve ever noticed how doodling in the margins of a notebook or humming a random tune can instantly lift your mood, then you’re likely familiar with the magic of creativity. It has a way of pulling us in, helping us lose track of time, and making life feel a little lighter.
But creativity isn’t just about making art or playing an instrument (although both of those activities can be highly creative). Creativity is more about how imagination and outside-the-box thinking can boost your mental health and wellbeing.
This might look like painting, dancing in your kitchen to Lady Gaga’s latest single, or scribbling down random thoughts in a journal. These small acts of creativity can do wonders for your mental state and your emotional fulfillment.
Most days, the world can feel overwhelming, but creativity can offer a breath of fresh air. Being creative gives you an outlet, a way to process emotions, and, most importantly, a reason to pause and just be.
Let’s explore what creativity really is, how it can impact your mental health, and some simple, joyful ways you can bring more of it into your life. You just need a little curiosity and a willingness to play. So, let’s play.
What is creativity?
Creativity isn’t just about being an artist, a musician, or a writer. You don’t need to paint like Van Gogh or play the piano like Mozart to be considered “creative.” In fact, creativity shows up in so many unexpected ways, like problem-solving at work, experimenting with new recipes for dinner, making up silly bedtime stories for your kids, or even finding a clever way to organize your messy closet.
At its core, creativity is about thinking outside the box, seeing things from a fresh perspective, and allowing yourself to explore without worrying about getting it right. It’s about curiosity, playfulness, and tapping into that part of yourself that’s willing to simply try.
Creativity also isn’t just a personality trait that some people are born with and others aren’t. It’s a muscle. The more you flex your creative muscle, the stronger it gets. When you give yourself permission to create without judgment and without pressure, you’re opening the door to self-expression, freedom, and maybe even some personal healing.
If you’ve ever figured out how to fix something without the instruction manual, made up a joke on the spot that made a whole room laugh, or danced around your kitchen like nobody’s watching, guess what? That’s being creative!
And the best part is that the more you embrace it, the more you’ll start to notice its effects on your mood, your energy, and even your mental health.
How does creativity affect mental health? 7 surprising benefits
When you’re completely lost in something you enjoy—like doodling, baking, dancing around the living room, or even rearranging your bookshelf in alphabetical order and even color-coded—time seems to melt away, your mind quiets down, and for a little while, nothing else matters. That’s the magic of creativity.
Here are seven surprising ways creativity supports your mental wellbeing:
1. Reduces stress and anxiety: When you’re focusing on a creative activity, you may notice that time flies by, and that’s because these activities help bring you into the present moment, which could result in you entering a flow state. Certain creative activities have also been shown to lower the stress hormone cortisol. This may help you feel calmer and more grounded.
2. Boosts mood and happiness: Creating something, whether it’s a song, a scrapbook, or a really satisfying doodle, may give your brain a dose of dopamine. Even something as simple as coloring outside the lines can give you that little burst of joy.
3. Improves problem-solving skills: Creativity teaches your brain to look at things in new ways. And thinking about things in new ways actually strengthens neural connections and encourages flexible thinking. These skills may come in handy for everyday challenges, like navigating work stress, handling relationship hiccups, or figuring out what to make for dinner with three random ingredients.
4. Provides a sense of purpose: Having a creative outlet gives you something to look forward to. It’s a space where you get to play and explore freely, without the pressure of deadlines or expectations. And let’s be real — how often do we give ourselves that kind of space?
5. Helps process emotions: When words don’t feel like enough, creativity offers another way to express what’s going on inside, especially if emotions feel too big or messy to put into sentences. Art, music, and movement all give us a way to process feelings, release tension, and even discover things about ourselves we didn’t realize before.
6. Encourages mindfulness: Creativity encourages you to tap into a “flow state,” which is a lot like meditation. Regardless of the activity you’re tapped into, creativity helps you slow down and truly be in the moment. That’s mindfulness in action.
7. Connects you with others: Creativity brings people together through shared experiences like a dance class or a book club. They invoke a sense of community and belonging. And feeling connected to other people is one of the biggest boosters for mental health.
19 ways to boost your mental health through creativity
If you want to bring more creativity into your everyday life, there’s some good news. You don’t need expensive supplies, formal training, or a studio filled with art supplies to get started. Whether you have five minutes or a whole afternoon, here are some simple ways to tap into your creative side and give your mind the refresh it deserves.
1. Try a new art form
If you think you aren’t artistic, go ahead and toss that thought out the window. Creativity isn’t related to perfection — it’s about expression. Try something new, like sketching, painting, or even making a vision board using clippings from magazines. And don’t worry about the final product, just enjoy the process.
2. Write for fun
Journaling, writing poetry, or even jotting down short stories is an amazing way to get your thoughts out of your head and onto paper. Consider trying a daily journal prompt or writing a letter to your future self. Just write for fun. Give yourself permission for it to be “bad”. Try it out and see how it feels.
Read more: How to learn something new every day: 7 tips for a curious mind
3. Move your body
Movement does so much for the body and the mind. Try taking a dance class or a fun workout class like Zumba. You can also try a movement meditation or simple stretches in the morning and before bed. Physical creativity helps release built-up tension, boost mood, and reconnect you with your body. Plus, it’s a great way to shake off stress.
💙 Embrace the flow and promote healthy circulation with Mel Mah’s Blood Flow Fun.
4. Make music
You don’t have to be a professional musician to enjoy the magic of sound — or to make it yourself. Play an instrument, sing in the shower, or create a playlist that matches your mood. Even just tapping out a rhythm on your desk can be a small act of creativity that lifts your spirits. And if the idea of playing a complicated instrument like piano or guitar feels intimidating, try a smaller rhythmic instrument like a hand drum or maraca.
5. Spend time in nature
Mother Nature is one of the best sources of inspiration for creativity, and can you blame her? She’s gorg! Go for a mindful walk, take pictures of interesting textures and colors, or collect leaves and stones for a creative nature collage. If you have a green thumb (or even if you don’t), gardening can also be a beautiful and rewarding creative outlet. Even just sitting outside and getting some sun can work wonders for your mental health.
💙 Follow along with Jay Shetty’s We Are Nature meditation for an introduction to living in harmony with the world around you.
6. Experiment in the kitchen
Cooking is an art, so whip out your metaphorical chef’s hat and try a new recipe. Maybe you try incorporating some unexpected flavors or make your plate look like something from a fancy restaurant. If cooking savory dishes doesn’t appeal to you, baking can also be a wonderful way to get into a creative rhythm. Plus, you get a delicious treat at the end.
Read more: How mindful eating can boost your mental and physical health
7. Embrace everyday creativity and mini-adventures
While you might be wondering how creativity can fit into a busy schedule, don’t worry. Creativity can be found in everyday tasks, not just art projects.
Try to embrace this way of thinking every single day. You can start small by rearranging your space, taking a different route home or to work, exploring a cafe or store in your neighborhood that you’ve never visited before, or setting a fun challenge for yourself to help you see the world differently. The little moments of creativity add up and make life more interesting and feel less, well, predictable.
8. Get playful
When you were a kid, you probably played without worrying if you were doing it right. That energy is still in you. Try playing an improv game, building something with your hands, or doing something that helps you tap into your inner child. Let go of the need to be productive and just have fun.
9. Create with others
Join a painting class, a book club, or even a casual crafting night with friends can really fill your creativity tank. Plus, being creative and playful is even more powerful when it’s shared between people. Collaborating with others not only strengthens social bonds but also reminds you that creativity is about connection and not just creation.
10. Let yourself daydream
Not every creative act has to be doing something. Sometimes, the best ideas come when you give your mind space to wander. Stare out the window, imagine wild possibilities, or let your thoughts drift without an agenda. It’s in these quiet moments that creativity often sneaks in and may even surprise you.
11. Play with words
Playing with language helps your brain think in new ways and can be a fun escape from everyday stress. Try blackout poetry (where you take a newspaper or book page and black out words to create a poem), invent new words for everyday things, or write a short story using only dialogue. If that feels like a stretch, consider word games like crossword puzzles, word searches, or even online games like Wordle and Connections.
12. Explore photography
You don’t need a fancy camera to tap into your inner photographer. Just use your phone! Challenge yourself to take five interesting photos a day, capture small moments of beauty, or experiment with different angles and lighting. Seeing the world through a creative lens can shift your perspective and help you appreciate the little things.
Bonus points if you get the old film camera out of the garage and play with it. Film photography is back in a big way, and most photo labs will offer to email you scans of your images so you can still share them digitally.
13. Redesign something in your space
Creativity doesn’t have to mean making something from scratch. Work with what you have. Try rearranging your furniture, styling a bookshelf in a new way, or repurposing an old item into something different. A small change in your environment can spark joy and inspire new energy. Explore these 10 ways to find happiness if you’ve been feeling down.
14. Play with scents and flavors
Engage your senses by playing with your senses. Create your own tea blends or bath salts, experiment with different spices in cooking, or even make a DIY scented candle. Creativity isn’t just a visual thing. It can be about how things taste and smell, too!
15. Start a no-pressure sketchbook
Get a cheap notebook and let it be your messy, anything-goes creative space. Doodle in the margins, jot down random thoughts, or sketch whatever comes to mind. If it helps to give yourself the space for things to be “bad,” take that space. The key is to let go of perfection and just play on the page.
16. Turn your to-do list into something fun
Instead of writing a plain old to-do list, make it colorful with different colored pens or add little doodles. You can even create a reverse to-do list where you write down things after you do them, just to celebrate small wins. Did you vacuum your floor? Write it down. Cooked a delicious meal? Draw it!
17. Create a soundtrack for your life
Make personalized playlists for different moods. One can be for relaxation, one for motivation, and one for creative inspiration. You could even take it a step further and create a soundtrack for your week and change it up based on how you feel. Plus, tying your experiences to music is a great way to remember them.
Read more: 15 ways music can make you feel better in mind & body
18. Craft your own rituals
Creativity is also about how you move through life, not just about making something. You can create small, mindful rituals for yourself, like a morning routine where you light a candle and set an intention or an evening tea ritual where you journal a few thoughts before bed over a cup of herbal tea. That’s still creativity. Embrace it.
19. Try storytelling in a new way
There’s no reason you can't have a little radio show or podcast, even if it’s just for you! Instead of writing a traditional story, experiment with voice recordings, digital storytelling, or even recording little audio diary entries for yourself. Telling stories—whether real or imagined—can be a powerful way to process emotions and express yourself.
💙 Drift off to sleep with a Calm Sleep Story, like The Nordland Night Train narrated by Erik Braa.
Creativity mental health FAQs
How can creativity improve mental health?
Creativity gives your mind a break from the constant stream of thoughts, worries, and responsibilities that can feel overwhelming. When you’re engaged in something creative—whether it’s painting, writing, or even just playing with colors—you enter a state of flow, where your focus shifts away from stress and into the present moment.
This can lower cortisol (one of our primary stress hormones) and help bring a sense of calm and clarity. Plus, creating something, even if it’s just for fun, boosts feelings of accomplishment and self-expression, both of which are great for your mental wellbeing.
Is there a link between creative arts and mental wellbeing?
Research has shown that engaging in creative activities like music, dance, painting, or even crafting is linked to lower levels of anxiety and depression. Expressing yourself through creative outlets helps process emotions in a way that words sometimes can’t.
Plus, creative arts often provide a sense of connection, whether through sharing your work with others or simply feeling more in tune with yourself. It’s not about being good at something. Instead, it’s about allowing yourself to explore and create freely.
Why does creativity relieve stress?
Creativity works a lot like meditation in that it encourages mindfulness by bringing your full attention to the task at hand. When you’re absorbed in a creative activity, your brain shifts gears, focusing on colors, sounds, textures, or movement instead of looping anxious thoughts.
This not only relaxes the nervous system but also gives your brain a chance to reset. Think of it like taking a mini-vacation for your mind. Creativity helps you step away from stress and into a more playful, peaceful state.
Are creatives more prone to depression?
There’s a common idea that highly creative people are more likely to struggle with mental health challenges, and while some studies suggest a connection, it’s not as simple as saying creativity causes depression.
Instead, it may be that people who experience deep emotions (both highs and lows) are naturally drawn to creative expression as a way to process their feelings. What’s important to remember is that creativity can also be a healing tool. Many artists, musicians, and writers have found that creative expression helps them navigate difficult emotions rather than being consumed by them.
What happens to your brain when you are creative?
When you engage in creative thinking, multiple areas of your brain light up, including those responsible for problem-solving, memory, and emotional processing. Creativity strengthens neural pathways, helping your brain make new connections and see things from different perspectives.
It also helps to trigger the release of dopamine, the feel-good neurotransmitter boosts motivation and happiness. In short, being creative isn’t just fun — it’s brain exercise that strengthens cognitive flexibility and emotional resilience in ways that benefit your overall mental health.
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