CHRONIC HEALTH AND CREATIVITY: A MATCH MADE IN THE STARS
Today, we're exploring how creativity can support us when managing chronic illness. Did you know that all humans are inherently creative? Some may accept this fact more easily than others (I see you creative professionals or hobbyists) but it really is true. Our cognitive abilitiES, our problem-solving at its core, are what set us apart, and problem-solving is fundamentally creative.
The acceptance of creativity is culturally changing by the minute. In our modern past, most creativity has been viewed through the lens of those who created something considered creative, art, primarily.
As an artist myself, I wouldn't underestimate the creative giants, past and present. But while art is in the eye of the beholder, creativity really isn't.
It's quite common to hear someone say, "Wow, they are so creative," yet you rarely hear someone called "uncreative," we use "uninspired" or "unimaginative" instead, because deep down we know it's not true. And to those skeptical: Yes, I'm talking to you.
I said the acceptance of creativity is changing, and it truly is. We are seeing now more than ever how creativity doesn't only live in those creative outlets and art forms but in our everyday thoughts, actions and intentions.
So, let's take this into the health realm. How can creativity flow from the museums and Spotify playlists into the world of managing chronic illness? Quite seamlessly, actually.
Here's a key insight:
If your physical health isn't well, your psychological health probably isn't thriving either. (With the opposite being all too common as well.)
It can be a vicious and devastating cycle, but creativity might be a way to break it. How, you ask? Ahh, finally, the fun part.
Knowing what we know about physical and mental health and how they're intertwined, it's undeniable to discount the importance of emotional stability.
The power of managing our internal narratives is moving to the forefront of medicine. Neuroscientist James Gross pioneered "emotional regulation" through a simple two-step process: acknowledge an unhealthy response, then reframe it, the second step requires creativity. This is where critical and creative thinking intersect.
Critical thinking evaluates and validates existing ideas; creative thinking generates new ones. While they operate in the same brain region, they're complementary, analysis and innovation working together. Executing both of these thinking patterns can greatly affect how we see, feel and think in our minds, bodies and world.
Still not convinced? Let's check out the medical journals.
In September 2023, the BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies published the trial, "Mind–body and art therapies impact on emotional regulation in patients with chronic diseases," which stated:
"The study highlighted a wide range of potential benefits of these complementary therapies (Mind-Body and Art Therapy) in the population of chronically ill patients regarding their ability to regulate their difficulties."
The study described one of the core sets of psychological skills at the heart of skill-based health promotion as creative and critical thinking.
The trial also cited studies stating: "Effective emotional regulation is recognized as essential to a good mental well-being and quality of life, and could also impact the physical health of people with chronic diseases. Improving emotional expression in several chronic diseases led to decreased distress and mood improvement."
Now, let's put this into practice.
How could you think more creatively to help regulate your emotional state?
Here are my four ways:
First, accept that you are more creative than you might think.
When hypothetical seeds are planted in our minds, they can grow into weeds or exquisite flowers. The choice is yours. Plant your seeds well, reinforce those ideas, and your flowers will bloom. And remember that at times when you believe you've been buried, you've actually been planted. Be patient and give yourself, and your creativity, time to grow.
Second, do something new and different to help flex those creative muscles.
Here, "doing" doesn't necessarily have to be "doing." This can include opening up to new creative thinking patterns, going outside of your proverbial box to expand your perspective, or reframing negative experiences into positive ones.
As a lifelong creative maker of too many things, it's impossible for me not to add here: It never hurts to reinforce or take up a new hobby where you exercise your creativity in a form. Draw, write, paint, read, dance, sing, whatever. Even for those dead set on believing they can do none of the above, attempt to do them anyway. These actions connect to our younger selves who possessed unlimited access to their creative wells. Let go, release your inhibitions and watch what happens.
Third, be curious about the how's, why's and what if's.
For me, my creativity is fueled by my curiosity, and vice versa. I challenge you to ask questions, think, ponder, wonder and push deeper. In times of poor health, it can be easy to hang around the negative end of the spectrum. But as in nature, for every night, there is a day. Perhaps consider the alternative of that negative end, the positive one! Dive deep into the rabbit hole of best-case scenarios; you might be surprised what goals and dreams arise.
And lastly, stay consistent.
There are very few certainties in life; we all know of the classic "death and taxes," but I'll offer you a third: your health. Just as physical weight and illness accumulate if you don't practice good physical health, so does mental weight if you don't consistently work towards a healthy mindset.
But don't worry, our bodies have a way to help us out here. Enter neuroplasticity—the brain's remarkable ability to form new neural connections, rewire existing ones, and even reassign functions from damaged areas to healthier ones. While our brains are incredibly resilient, they also default to your commonly used, deeper pathways if there aren't other viable options. So, cue the shovel! To form new pathways, you've got to get out there and make it happen, one creative thought or action at a time.
As Robert Frost said, "Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference."
Truer words have never been spoken.
