According to Forbes, “the theory of cognition postulates that being creative is actually a basis for human life.” Being creative is extremely important for us, but we often forget about it or feel like it’s a waste of time. Not only does doing something creative make us happy, but it also reduces stress and anxiety by allowing us to focus on the activity at hand.
Doing one creative thing every day will increase our overall well-being, but it can be difficult to know where to get started or how to include it in our daily routines. Here are three easy ideas that almost anyone can do.
Coloring
We don’t have to go out and create an outstanding painting to be creative. In fact, the less you think about your creative activity while doing it, the more relaxing it is. Coloring is one of the easiest creative outlets to do every day.
There are adult coloring books, but any coloring book will do. Just pick something that you know will relax you whether that’s detailed images or less intricate ones. Something compact would be ideal so you can take it with you even if you have a busy schedule. Also, make sure to pick out your favorite coloring tools. Some people may find coloring with markers to be more relaxing while others prefer pencils. It’s all about preference. If you’re the type of person that takes too long to pick out colors and is an overthinker, then numbered coloring books are great.
This may not sound like it will do much, but simply focusing on the strokes you make while coloring can be very therapeutic. Even if it’s just fifteen minutes a day. According to Beaumont.org, “coloring has the ability to relax the fear center of your brain, the amygdala. It induces the same state as meditating by reducing the thoughts of a restless mind.” Try it out, and if it’s not right for you, you can always move on to another activity.
Prompted Writing
What makes prompted writing great is that you don’t have to think about what you want to write. This makes it ideal for the overthinkers or anyone that needs guidance to get their daily creative activity in.
There are a variety of free prompts available online. Whether you like journaling, short story writing, or even poetry, find prompts for it. Every day, write as much or as little as you want to. You can write to different types of prompts every day. You don’t have to stick to journaling, for example, throughout the whole week. Try different forms of writing and see what allows you to release your energy the most.
According to Medical News Today, writing can “help people to overcome trauma and manage negative emotions” and creative self-expression can “contribute to maintenance or reconstruction of a positive identity.” We might not notice these benefits straight away, so being consistent is key.
Lunch Box Decorating
Most of us already cook or make lunch for work every day, so why not get creative with it?
Lunch box decoration is becoming a really popular concept and is a fun way to get creative. There are so many videos and cookbooks out there just for lunch box prepping and decorating. What’s great about it is that you’re not just cooking, you’re also being artistic which allows you to have more fun with it. It’s also something you can do every day. There are some recipes that are more complex than others, but you can pick what you feel is best for you.
This may not sound like the most typical way to be creative, but it’s great for mindfulness. Cooking “requires mindful attention” and “requires you to focus on what you are doing. It asks that you put other things aside. It compels you to be present in that moment” (The Scramble). So, if you already love cooking or would like to get into it, this is the perfect daily activity for you.
Mindfulness
If typical mindfulness practices like meditation just aren’t for you, then a creative outlet is the way to go. By doing something creative that you love, you are also making sure to enjoy yourself a little every day. We often forget that when we’re busy.
These tips are just a few of many. There are so many more creative ideas out there and you can always switch it up. Just aim to do at least one thing every day.
Exercise:
1- How can you be creative? Create a list of 1-3 things that you can easily do every day.
2- When is the best time for you to be creative? Pick a few times that you know you’ll be able to dedicate to an activity.
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