How creativity makes you healthier and happier.

Heart Leap Writing hour starts at 9am.

Photo by laura adai on Unsplash

“The guardians of high culture will try to convince you that the arts belong only to a chosen few, but they are wrong and they are also annoying. We are all the chosen few. We are all makers by design.” Elizabeth Gilbert

The guardians of high culture will try to convince you that creativity is reserved for a chosen few—those who studied the arts (said in a posh accent) or know what chiaroscuro means. But guess what? They’re wrong. And also, quite frankly, annoying. Creativity isn’t some elite club; it’s baked into being human. You’re already a creative person—whether you’re painting masterpieces or just aggressively doodling during Zoom calls.

But beyond making life more interesting, creativity is scientifically proven to make us healthier and happier.

1. It’s Basically a Free Therapy Session

Engaging in creative activities—writing, painting, knitting a slightly wonky scarf—has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety. Studies (from actual scientists, not just people who love macrame) have found that making art lowers cortisol levels, aka the stress hormone that makes you want to scream into a pillow.

2. Creativity Is the Brain’s Version of Lifting Weights

You know how your muscles get stronger when you exercise? Your brain does the same thing when you engage in creative activities. Neuroscientists have discovered that creativity boosts neuroplasticity, which is just a fancy way of saying it keeps your brain flexible, sharp, and less likely to forget why you walked into a room.

3. It’s a Secret Weapon Against Doomscrolling

Ever noticed how time disappears when you’re fully immersed in something creative? That’s called “flow state,” and it’s the opposite of staring at your phone at midnight, wondering why you’re still reading about the history of the spoon. Studies show that being in a creative flow can make us feel happier, more energised.

4. Creativity Literally Boosts Your Immune System

Yes, literally. A study found that people who engage in expressive writing had stronger immune responses than those who didn’t. So, if you’ve ever wanted to journal your way to invincibility, science says go for it. Turns out, ranting in a notebook about your ex does have health benefits.

5. It Makes You More Attractive (Probably)

Okay, maybe not scientifically proven, but let’s be real—who’s more interesting: the person who spends their free time sculpting, writing, or dancing in their kitchen, or the one whose only hobby is “watching TV but, like, really intensely”? Creative people are naturally more engaged with the world, which makes them more magnetic. Plus, there’s something undeniably appealing about someone who can play an instrument, tell a great story, or bake an award-winning sourdough. (Fine, maybe not award-winning, but at least edible.)

Journaling Prompt: The Art of Being Alive

If creativity is the key to feeling more alive, what’s one creative activity that makes you lose track of time? Is it writing, painting, gardening, rearranging your bookshelves by colour? What’s stopping you from doing more of it? What’s one tiny way you can weave more creativity into your everyday life?

P.S the Heart Leap Writing Hour begins at 9am. Join us.

P.P.S We start the life changing Artist’s Way 1pm on the 19th March. It’s a fantastic way to relight your creativity. Here’s an interesting article about it.

Here’s the Zoom link for the Writing Hour today.