Benefits of Regularly Engaging with your Creativity Part 2

Creativity matters.

What Happens When You Regularly Engage in Creativity?

When you make creativity a habit—whether through art, movement, writing, music, or play—you start to experience profound shifts in how you think, feel, and engage with the world.

Here are the benefits you can expect when creativity becomes a regular part of your life:

1. Your Stress Levels Drop

Creativity is a natural stress reliever. Studies show that engaging in creative activities reduces cortisol, the stress hormone, and promotes relaxation (Kaimal et al., 2016). Whether it’s painting, doodling, or playing an instrument, creativity helps regulate emotions and lower anxiety.

2. You Train Your Brain to Think More Flexibly

Creativity strengthens cognitive flexibility, which is the ability to approach problems from multiple angles instead of getting stuck in thought loops. A study from the National Institutes of Health found that creative activities enhance neuroplasticity—your brain’s ability to form new connections (Grabner et al., 2007). The more you create, the more adaptable and open-minded you become.

Research by Baikie & Wilhelm (2005) found that expressive writing—just getting your thoughts out on paper—can actually reduce stress and improve both mental and physical health. It’s like giving your brain a deep clean, clearing out all the bottled-up emotions so you can move forward with more clarity and creativity.

3. You Become More Confident in Your Ideas

The more you create, the more you silence your inner critic. Engaging in creativity builds self-trust and confidence in your ability to experiment and make decisions. Neuroscientist Dr. Gregory Berns suggests that creativity thrives when we detach from outcome-based thinking and take risks (Berns, 2008). The moment you stop obsessing over whether something is “good enough” and just let yourself make—whether it’s writing, painting, or trying something completely new—you unlock a different level of thinking… and achieving.

4. Your Emotional Resilience Increases

Creative people tend to have stronger emotional resilience because they engage in activities that allow them to process emotions in a healthy way. A 2019 study found that expressive writing can help regulate emotions and reduce feelings of distress (Baikie & Wilhelm, 2019). The act of putting thoughts into words helps bring clarity to overwhelming emotions, making them feel more manageable. It’s like untangling a messy knot—once you start sorting through it, things begin to make sense. The study found that those who regularly engaged in expressive writing experienced lower stress levels, improved mood, and even physical health benefits like stronger immune function.

5. You Feel More Connected to Yourself and Others

Creativity is a deeply personal yet universal form of expression. It allows you to connect with your true self and appreciate your own vision and contributions. At the same time, it can foster deeper connections with others.

Shared creativity strengthens relationships and community bonds. I especially notice this when crafting at the table with my daughter, or working with other photographers on a project. There’s an energy in the shared creative process—bouncing ideas off each other, problem-solving in real time, and feeding off each other’s inspiration. Creativity becomes a way to build trust, to see and feel seen, and to celebrate creating something brighter than one person could have made alone.

Creativity is Fundamental to a Happy Life.

How does your creativity help you to keep it together?

How would you suggest others try to reignite their creativity?

Talk to us in the comments!