The transformative impact of creativity on mental and physical well-being is now a well-supported notion. As we navigate the challenges of modern life, engaging in enjoyable activities, often termed “restorers,” holds the key to recovering from stress and making life’s tough decisions easier.
According to a July 2023 poll conducted by the American Psychiatric Association (APA), indulging in creative activities at least once a week contributes to better mental health. Here are the top five creative activities found to have the most significant stress-relieving effects:
Listening To Music: Music emerges as a crowd-favorite with 77% of respondents in the APA poll citing it as their go-to stress reliever. Delighting in music can balance emotions by positively impacting the amygdala, the brain’s emotional regulator. Beyond mental health benefits, music also reduces pain, improves posture, and enhances relaxation.
Solving Puzzles: Nearly 40% of respondents attribute stress reduction to solving puzzles. Puzzle games enhance cognitive functions, stimulate thinking, and boost confidence. Remarkably, they may even mitigate brain shrinkage, reducing the risk of cognitive decline.
Singing Or Dancing: A quarter of respondents find solace in singing and dancing. These transformative activities provide a safe outlet for emotions, lifting mood, and offering respite from life’s challenges. Group singing benefits cognitive health and well-being for individuals with various health conditions.
Drawing, Painting Or Sculpting: Art therapy emerges as a powerful tool for mental health treatment, with 24% of participants acknowledging its stress-relieving impact. Creative expressions, especially for children, provide a voice to emotions and inner struggles.
Creative Writing: Journaling and creative writing, embraced by 16% of respondents, offer therapeutic benefits. By using poetic language to express emotions, individuals can gain insight, cope with stress, and enhance self-reflection techniques.
Survey questions, methodology and results have not been verified or endorsed by ABC News or The Walt Disney Company.