Those were the golden years of living in Delhi. Nowadays, life in Delhi can be a crazy ride. Responsibilities of a job, kids, bills, shopping, cooking, traveling and an endless list of such activities often side-tracks us from self-care. Our physical and emotional health is interlinked and one easily affects the other. While enough has been said about physical exercise, creative activities are nothing less than a therapy for our minds.
“As children, we are all creative, but by the time we ‘grow-up’, creativity is ‘educated out of us’ by schools, colleges and corporates”, says Sir Ken Robinson in his talk about creativity.
Painting, writing, baking, sewing, playing a musical instrument, gardening, or any such creative outlet can truly elevate the quality of life. I am not talking about being professionally creative, but pursuing a hobby or an activity that helps you get those creative juices flowing and is not related to work, usually does the trick. It is a beautiful experience and its rewarding effects on your mind, body and soul are the cherries on top.
Slay the ‘Stress Dragon’
According to a report by CNN, creative activities have an effect similar to meditation on our bodies. Do you remember the joy you experienced as a kid when you painted the mountains or made a house out of empty matchboxes? Or maybe the little sweater you knitted for your favorite doll under guidance from your grandmother? You might not have created a masterpiece but such activities are like yoga for your brain. Find time to schedule a creative activity and don’t bother about sharing your creative pursuits on social media, simply enjoy the process.
Reboot the brain
There is reason why schools employ creative arts as a part of the curriculum. CNN reports that pursuing such activities helps in maintaining a healthy central nervous system. If you are going through a breakup or recovering from an illness or having a tough time at work, then embracing your creative side even for a few hours a week can help you reboot and refresh your brain functions.
What a beautiful world
Every time I have a tough day or a week, I pick up my guitar, strum my favorite song and sing! I am not Louis Armstrong, but it works wonders. My neighbor, on the other hand, has a beautiful garden of flowers. She usually tends to it on weekends and gets lost in the process. Her landscaping skills have truly improved over years and so has the quality of her life.
The British Journal of Occupational Therapy studied 3,545 knitters worldwide and observed a striking relationship between knitting and the feeling of being calm and happy. They also displayed higher cognitive skills.
Be the social magnet
Regardless of the plethora of social networking websites and mobile apps, people tend to bond when they have a common interest or hobby. Being in touch with your creative side and with people having similar interests can create an atmosphere of positivity and happiness.
Imagine being at a party or a social get-together. Nobody wants to hear about your professional achievements or issues. A person with hobbies has so much more to talk about. People will throng to you for a simple conversation.
Before I say goodbye
Creativity is an inherent trait that each one of us is born with. It gives us a sense of achievement, happiness and allows us to slip into our own world leaving all the worries of life behind. Living is an art and being creative is the gateway to happiness and a stress-free life. You need not burden yourself with elaborate plans on being creative; daily chores provide enough opportunities to be creative. Eat healthy, exercise and be creative to live a life free of negativity and anxiety.
