Let's think things through
Written by Jana Tosic Mental health matters more than ever, especially as many of us face challenges like anxiety and depression. Did you know that nearly one in five adults experiences a mental health issue each year? (SAMHSA) This reality can feel overwhelming, and it’s no wonder that people are searching for new ways to cope and heal. While we often think of exercise and diet as key to our well-being, creative activities can be just as important for our mental health. When you dive into creative activities like painting, writing, or playing music, you can express your feelings and find relief from everyday stress. And the best part? You don’t need special skills or training—just a desire to explore and express. In this article, you’ll learn how to add creativity to your routine for better mental health and enrich your life. Keep reading to discover simple, fulfilling ways to start. Is Creativity Good for Mental Health? What Science Says: Creativity is your secret advantage for mental health and well-being. It offers a way to connect with your emotions and express feelings that words often can’t capture. Did you know that engaging in creative activities can change how your brain works? When you create, your brain releases endorphins and dopamine. According to research published in Science Direct, those chemicals boost your mood and make you feel good. This isn't just a feel-good story; studies show creative expression can significantly improve mental health. For example, an NCBI journal highlights how “art-making can reduce anxiety.” So, if you're feeling overwhelmed or stuck, picking up a paintbrush or writing in a journal might be exactly what you need. Furthermore, research on creative expression has linked it to improved resilience in mental health. One study explains, “Participating in creative activities can help people cope with stress and despair and alleviate the burden of chronic mental illnesses” (NCBI). So, if you're struggling with your emotions or past experiences, remember that creativity is a powerful tool for understanding and healing. Explore your creative side. You might just find that it helps you heal and feel more connected to yourself and the world around you. How Can Art be Used for Self-Expression? Self-expression through art can help people process difficult emotions and manage trauma. According to NCBI findings, self-expression can serve as “an emotional buffer, helping individuals work through unresolved feelings” (NCBI). When you take the time to write, paint, or make music, you're giving yourself permission to feel and explore complex emotions. This process can help you work through trauma or stress, turning painful experiences into something beautiful and meaningful. These findings reveal that embracing creativity can be transformative for mental health. As you read this article, you'll find simple ways to incorporate creative practices into your life and feel the profound benefits for your mental well-being.
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How Mental Health Struggles Show Up in Artists' Lives Mental health challenges often surface quietly for artists, affecting both your work and well-being. But what do these signs mean, and how can you manage them? Let’s break down how mental health might appear in your life so that you can recognize and address these experiences head-on. Common Symptoms of Mental Health Problems in Artists
Here are some inspiring examples from famous artists who’ve faced mental health issues: 1. Vincent van Gogh suffered from severe depression, psychotic episodes, and possible epilepsy. He’s known for his bold use of color, pouring those raw emotions into iconic works like The Starry Night. His vivid yellows may have been influenced by his condition, giving his art a unique intensity that reflects his emotional world. 2. Known for The Scream, Edvard Munch's work captures his battles with mental health. He faced depression, alcoholism, and a breakdown in 1908 following a challenging family history. His haunting words, “sickness, madness, and death were the black angels that guarded my crib,” reflect how his past influenced his art. Munch’s swirling colors and dark themes mirror his internal struggles, showing how creativity and suffering often intertwine in deeply expressive ways. 3. Among the female writers with mental illness is Sylvia Plath. Her poetry captured deep struggles with depression in a way that connected powerfully with others. Her work, especially Ariel, reveals how art can be a lifeline for expressing inner pain. Plath’s journey also led to the “Sylvia Plath Effect,” a term used to explore the unique challenges poets face with mental health. 4. Known for her soulful voice and expressive lyrics, Amy Winehouse battled addiction and bipolar disorder. That produced a deep impact on her music and personal life. Her song Rehab showed her struggle with accepting help, yet she faced cycles of despair, substance use, and self-doubt. Despite her success, Amy’s story reminds us that mental health struggles can affect anyone. Reaching out for support can be vital in sustaining well-being and creativity. Let these real-life stories remind you that you’re not alone. There is hope, and therapy or counseling can help you manage your emotions with personalized support. Written by Jana Tosic Being an artist can be both a gift and a challenge. Your creativity lets you perceive life in ways others don't, but does it also make you more vulnerable to mental health struggles? Studies show that mental health challenges are very common among artists. In fact, nearly 60% of artists experience some form of mental illness in their lives. Beyond the “tortured artist” stereotype, there’s real pressure that comes with creative work. Here, we’ll explore why these challenges happen and how you can manage them while keeping creativity alive. Why Artists Experience Mental Health Challenges Mental health challenges often feel close to home in creative fields, and it’s no coincidence. The emotional depth and sensitivity that fuel artistic work can make artists more vulnerable to struggles like self-doubt, anxiety, and intense highs and lows. Imagine spending days perfecting a piece, only to feel uncertain if it’s good enough or if anyone will connect with it. Recognizing these feelings as common in creative careers can help you manage them with compassion and continue to create uplifting work. You might wonder: Is creativity linked to mental illness? Let’s explore this connection further. The Link Between Creativity and Mental Health Research shows a strong link between creativity and certain mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder. The same study further reveals that writers and visual artists face much higher risks of depression and bipolar disorder than others. While your feelings can inspire beautiful art, they can also make you more vulnerable to emotional struggles. For example, a poet might draw inspiration from sadness and be caught in self-doubt. Recognizing this link can help you navigate the ups and downs of your creative journey. Our CMHC team is here to listen and provide the guidance you need. It's common for people in creative professions to have moments (sometimes long periods) where they ask themselves this question: "is my time up? should I be working toward something else instead?" My approach in tackling this issue is both exploratory and empowering. I like to understand what the reasoning is behind these types of doubts, and I also want to be the voice that cheers for the "Creativity/Arts Team". Here are some things I consider:
The creative process isn’t always smooth. Sometimes, you get stuck in one of the stages of idea development and implementation. When this happens, it’s important to identify - the poor habits during engagement in creative work (are you trying to create when you need to be somewhere 30 minutes later? are you creating in the presence of a critical/judgmental person? are you beginning creative work with your phone notifications going off every few minutes?) - the psychological factors that get in your way (are you filled with fear and self-doubt? did you just receive upsetting news that you need time to process?) During counseling, try opening up with you therapist about the kinds of thoughts that interfere with your creative process. The goal would be to set up an environment (both physical and psychological) which would allow you to move through these blocks smoothy and comfortably. When clients share their apprehension about presenting their creative work, I often urge them to contemplate the following question: what does your audience represent to you? At first, this may seem like an unusual way to think about an audience. The idea that an audience represents something--and is not just the group of people watching or listening to your work, can be a little foreign. However, upon further exploration, I find that clients start to get it: throughout the years, they have turned audiences into some kind of projection; imagined and self-imposed pressure, that draws from past experiences, inner criticism or unrealistic expectations.
Audiences may represent:
What does your audience represent to you? Please share your thoughts below! Our team has been steadily growing over the last few years. We have a diverse group of qualified therapists who are ready to help you tackle the difficulties that keep you from flourishing emotionally and creativity. Take a look at our OUR TEAM page to find out more!
My most creatively fulfilled clients are the ones who maintain some sort of daily creative practice (or, at least, almost daily). During this kind of practice, clients are not debating whether to work on a creative task, because it's a given. These clients know that spending time on some type of creative expression most days of the week, is a form of self-care. Just like it goes without saying that exercising, resting, eating well, and vacationing are parts of a healthy routine, creatively fulfilled clients are motivated by the idea that actively using their creative faculties is not a luxury, nor something trivial. Rather, it's necessary to feel content and satisfied.
Still, there is some kind of inner dialogue going on. This dialogue regarding a daily creative practice is not about whether, but about what, how or when. 1. What should I work on? While there are some constraints (deadlines, resources, etc.) it's important to check in with yourself regarding what you feel like working on. Sometimes creators feel like reflecting, "sitting" on ideas, taking things in, rather than actively producing work. Sometimes creators want to go back and edit, other times they want to write new material. As long as the relationship with creative work is maintained, fluctuating between tasks is normal and ok. 2. How should I approach the work? You might find yourself wondering which direction your plot should take, whether to add a bridge section to your composition, or if you should care about whether your play fist with the tone of other plays in the show. There are countless questions that arise during the creative process. As the famous quote says, "when there's a fork in the road, take it." 3. When do I move onto something else? With experience in practicing daily creative habits, comes the intuition to know when it's time to take a break or to stop altogether. You will know whether the voice telling you that it's time to stop comes from a place of avoidance, or a genuine need to introduce a different type of creative stimulation. The important thing is that, right when you are about to wrap one project up, you're always wondering "what's next?" This short list captures four main themes explored during sessions at Creativity Mental Health Counseling. There are many ways to stay motivated, and here are just a few to point you in the right direction.
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November 2024
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