Creativity is God’s gift to us. Using our creativity is our gift back to God. – Julia Cameron
We have been inundated with messages on how to stay healthy—everything from hand washing to social distancing. However, I’m going to share something most news broadcasts have neglected to mention—being creative. When you engage in a creative activity, you are enhancing your immune system in two ways. First, you are lowering your stress level by giving your mind a new focus. Research has shown stress weakens the immune system thus making you more susceptible to illness. However, on the positive side, being creative boosts your immune system helping to keep you free of illness.
When you enter a relaxed creative state, your body starts producing immunoglobulins—antibodies that your system uses to fight bacteria and viruses. In addition, when we are in a creative place our body produces endorphins, addictive, but natural mood enhancers.
The interconnectedness of our emotions, our immune system, and our health is the field of science known as Psychoneuroimmunology – psycho meaning mind, neuro meaning nervous system and immunology meaning our immune system.
It doesn’t matter what the creative pursuit is – writing, visual art, music, movement, etc.- research supports the science behind both the emotional and physical healing of creativity. There are numerous doctors such as Bernie Siegel, John Graham-Stone, Elaine Ferguson and others who have written wonderful books on the healing value of creativity. The April 2020 issue of O Magazine mentions that simply visiting an art museum or concert adds years to your life.
Webster describes creative as “stimulating the imagination”. It does not mention producing a masterpiece, or that creativity is something given to just the “chosen few.” Pick up a pencil and doodle or find some markers in your desk and sketch. Perhaps you have always wanted to try painting or woodworking. Now you have the time; take advantage of it. You can order any materials you need on line and watch a YouTube for instruction. Writing is something everyone has access to. James Pennebaker, a professor of psychology at the University of Texas at Austin, is one of the foremost authorities on the value of the written word. He has conducted research with thousands of students that shows the healing value of releasing emotions such as fear and anxiety. Simply putting your thoughts down on paper is where the healing begins. Or, write a short story about one aspect of your life, perhaps something funny that happened in the past.
A recent article about NASA astronaut, Scott Kelly, who spent a year on the International Space Station, gave tips on things to help with feelings of isolation. This one stood out—keep a daily journal. Kelly wrote “If you find yourself just chronicling the days’ events (which, under the circumstances, might get repetitive) instead try describing what you are experiencing through your five senses…” —what did I see, hear, feel, smell, and taste. If you need help to get inspired, play fun uplifting music. John Ortiz, in The Tao of Music, gives a list of “Music for Altered States” that will “serve to awaken your muse and stimulate your creative juices.” Or order a copy of Your Playlist Can Change Your Life: 10 Proven Ways Your Favorite Music Can Revolutionize Your Health, Memory, Organization, Alertness and More. This book was written by an amazing team of doctors and other professionals who explain how music can enhance your life in a number of positive ways, including your health.
The need to create is not new. In Dec. 2019 anthropologists found cave paintings on an Indonesian island that were at least 43,900 years old. The who and why of this discovery will forever be a mystery, but the fact remains— humans have, and have always had, a need to create. Take this opportunity to write, listen to music, draw, paint, dance, sing, plant a garden, find something that is fun, relaxing and takes you to that place, that zone, where time stands still. Find that wonderful place where there is no room for worries or stress, where you can enjoy the moment knowing you are helping your mind and body heal.