“If you hear a voice within you say, ‘You cannot paint,’ then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced” – Vincent Van Gogh

You have a box of pens in front of you, think of five things you could do with them? (Absolutely anything that comes to mind, without judging or censoring yourself. Use your imagination, be silly, have fun with it)

There we go; you are creative!

Creativity is the use of imagination or original ideas to create something. Whether you're a first-time artist or an expert, there are endless benefits to continue pursuing your inner artist. Some people pursue creativity as a hobby and some do it for a living. Creativity benefits you in a lot of ways whichever road you choose. Listed below are some health benefits of being creative.

1) It increases and renews brain function: It’s no secret that work and school projects exercise our critical thinking skills. But when it comes to creative endeavours, we nurture different areas of the brain in new ways. CNN reports that engaging in creative tasks protects neuron growth by promoting the production of new neurons, which are crucial for maintaining a healthy central nervous system.

Creative activities also help the brain recover after an illness, injury, or stress, according to the Croatian Medical Journal: “Various artistic disciplines have helped patients with diverse disorders that include developmental or acquired, medical, and/or psychiatric conditions.” CNN also reports that people who take on craft-based projects in midlife and older have a 45 percent less chance of developing cognitive issues such as dementia.

2) It cultivates your social life: A healthy social life is essential to our well-being, period. It’s exactly what a person needs to fill her heart—and mind—with positivity and affirmation. Without a solid community, it’s easy for our mental health to crumble.

3) It improves mood: It’s not uncommon to feel down in the dumps from time to time, especially during periods of hardship and transition. Thankfully, from simple doodling to singing your favourite song, moments of intentional creativity can come to the rescue no matter your current lot in life. Creative activities have been shown to improve overall emotional health.

People bond with common experiences and interests. The British Journal of Occupation Therapy study reports, “Knitting in a group impacted significantly on perceived happiness, improved social contact, and communication with others. Conclusion: Knitting has significant psychological and social benefits, which can contribute to well-being and quality of life.”

4) It improves self-awareness and expression: Creativity is the route to authenticity. As we create we begin to access our thoughts, feelings, and beliefs. When we take the time and energy to develop our own ideas, we learn to understand, trust and respect our inner self, in turn enabling us to better express ourselves. You may be surprised at the resources, thoughts, and impulses that you discover there.

5) It relieves stress: You don’t even need to produce something in order to de-stress. The AJPH mentions that simply observing creativity decreases psychological stress. We’re talking attending a concert, checking out a museum, or reading Verily. These allow you to bask in the creativity of others while reaping their meditative benefits.

Give yourself permission and time to get lost in the process. Indulge in creative activities. When you do, take a break from screen time by setting aside your phone or computer. Don’t stress yourself out by feeling like you need to make a perfect piece of art. Your freshly baked cupcakes or newly finished scarf may not look Pinterest-worthy, but the finished product isn’t the point; it’s the process. Savour the moment, and have fun with it.