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MICHELLE KEENAN empowers people and organisations to achieve optimal well-being by providing customised wellness coaching programmes tailored to their unique goals. When you hear the word “creativity”, you may immediately think of those super-talented people who make things for a living – artists, sculptors, musicians, writers. But creativity isn’t just found while painting masterpieces or composing songs – it’s found in the everyday moments when we try something new, solve a problem differently, or simply let our imagination wander. And it turns out that those moments are very good for our well-being. Engaging in creative activities, whether it’s cooking, gardening, doodling, or building something with your hands, activates parts of the brain that help reduce stress and boost mood. Research shows that when we create, our brains release dopamine, the feel-good chemical linked to motivation and pleasure. In other words, creativity is a natural mood-lifter! Creativity also helps us get into a state psychologists call “flow”. Chances are you’ve been in flow state before. It’s that wonderful feeling of being completely absorbed in what you’re doing. Time disappears, your mind quiets down, and you feel deeply present. That’s powerful for mental well-being, because it gives our busy brains a rest from constant thinking and worrying. It’s really important to note here that creativity doesn’t need to be perfect or productive! The benefits come from the process, not the outcome. So, whether you’re rearranging your furniture, trying a new recipe, or sketching badly in a notebook, you’re giving your brain a healthy boost. If you’ve been feeling flat, stuck, or stressed, try something creative this week – something you haven’t done since you were a kid, or something you’ve always wanted to try, but put off. Play, experiment, make a mess! Enjoy the process and know that you’re doing wonders for your well-being, regardless of how your creative endeavours turn out. www.michellekeenan.com
