Recent studies highlighted a significant rise in the prevalence of anxiety and depression around the world. Covid-19 is surely responsible for this recent sharp increase in mental health issues but depression was here a long time before the pandemic. We will explore exactly why and how the act of creativity can help with depression.
But to better understand the influence of a creative mindset, it’s important to know more about depression itself and some common ways to treat this serious illness.
What is Depression and is it Linked to Creativity?
Depression is a serious illness which negatively affects how a person feels, thinks, and acts. While everyone feels sad or low at times, depression is a chronic feeling that can last for weeks, months and even years if left untreated. There is no one reason for depression showing up in a persons’ life and anything from family problems, breakdown in relationships or loss can contribute to a diagnosis. There is also no cure for depression, but treatment is something that can certainly help over time. More on that in a moment.
Here are some common symptoms for depression:
Low energy
Loss of appetite
Persistent feelings of irritation or agitation
Loss of interest in hobbies etc.
Poor sleep patterns
In case you might be asking yourself, are creative people more likely to suffer from depression and is creativity maybe linked to depression? Research is not conclusive in this regard, but creative outlets certainly help in terms of processing and dealing with mental health disorders. Now, let’s look at some of the good news…
Treating Depression through the Mind and Body
Depression is treatable and doctors often prescribe medication to help alleviate clinical depression. Studies also indicate how herbal remedies such as ginseng, chamomile and lavender might be worthy considerations for the treatment of anxiety and depression, while posing minimal risk in terms of side effects. Meanwhile, conclusive research shows that eliminating the likes of processed foods can help improve both physical and mental health and the same is true for just about any form of exercise - even a short walk.
And this leads us to the act of creativity…
Using the Act of Creativity to Tackle Depression
More research suggests creative activities can help ease symptoms of anxiety and depression. Creative activities come in many different forms and the likes of writing, painting, and dancing are shown to have a positive impact on mood disorders. This is largely because such activities provide an outlet and often the space needed to process and ease symptoms related to depression. But how to begin with the act of creating?
The general idea is to engage with activities that relieve stress, elevate mood, boost self-esteem and other positive benefits. Research shows that such creative activities can also help people process stress or trauma and discover new ways to improve their psychological well-being. This is also because creativity enables us to open the mind and view problems more openly. It promotes clarity and logical reasoning, while broadening our perspective of issues in a way that can allow for multiple solutions to one problem.
As if that’s not enough, according to Baas et al who defined the very root of creative cognition in science, creativity is a necessary psychological process and not just a social or cultural construct. In other words, creativity is not just important in life, it is essential.
But we can also look at some specific examples of how the act of creating will help.
Examples of How the Act of Creativity Can Help with Depression
Getting Back to Self - Believe it or not, creativity is a known treatment for people with dementia. This is because creative activities are shown to reduce depression and help individuals regain senses, while tapping back into their personalities. If we transfer this theory to depression, we can see how the act of creating can help a person maintain their sense of self and a rational way of thinking that will help them through.
Calming the Mind - The human mind is bombarded with many thousands of thoughts every day. Creative tasks help focus the mind on a singular point, and this can have a calming effect on the mind and body. Even light activities such as knitting, meditation or a short walk can release dopamine which is a natural anti-depressant.
Making You Smarter - Creative activities will often require the individuals to enhance the connectivity between the left and right brain. This theory is well established when it comes to musicians and happens because cognitive function improves when both sides of the brain communicate with each other.
Processing Trauma - Aside from reducing stress and anxiety, creative activities can also help with processing trauma. Research shows that even just writing down some feelings can help manage or negate certain emotions and help express trauma that might otherwise stay hidden.
Boosting theImmune System - Some studies show that creativity improves the state of the immune system. It’s true, research suggests a creative side can enhance a person’s physical health and one study found it can even help the body tackle inflammation.
Increased Happiness - “Flow” is a state in which you might feel totally absorbed in whatever you are doing. Being in this state is known to boost mood and reduce anxiety. What’s more, when you create a solution or result, dopamine is released into the brain and that feel-good chemical produces what we know as happiness!
Final Thoughts
Whether creativity and depression are linked or not, the act of creating can help with depression. Taking a creative approach to life can provide much needed outlets through which we can better understand, process, and express our emotions. The potential health benefits are also clear and most of which are directly correlated with alleviating the symptoms of depression. It might not be an easy walk back to the light but the act of creating is certainly a step toward the staircase and a doorway out of the dark.
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