The one about…. Creativity as Part of Recovery
This week I’ve spent several hours with bereaved clients who have decided that returning to some of the creative pursuits they engaged with as children might help them cope. There is something instinctual in returning to something we did as children. Colouring, painting, photography, writing, baking, knitting and gardening have all been mentioned. And so has making marmalade.
I’m a fan of this approach to self-care whether you’re grieving, working on your mental health or grounding yourself in a topsy-turvy world.
And it’s happening everywhere – from neighbours meeting to sketch in gardens to crafting circles in cafes and even students getting together in London pubs to knit. The urge to create in company is tangible. And there are even more people doing it at home too.
Psychologically there are several aspects at work here:-
Returning to a space which brought pleasure in childhood is like wrapping yourself in a comfort blanket.
Immersing yourself in a creative task, focusing intensely brings about a flow state where negative thoughts and worries are pushed into the background. My children refer to it as allotment time because of my penchant for disappearing off to the plot for twenty minutes when their Dad came home from work and coming back four hours later.
The physical act of making something brings a sense of accomplishment, competence, purpose and self-worth that improves overall wellbeing
Gentle, repetitive movement and quiet creativity reduce cortisol levels and provides a non-verbal outlet for processing emotions, especially those that are difficult to communicate. It also provides the space to reflect on and reframe personal challenges.
Doodling or letting your mind wander whilst engaged in simple creative activities helps calm the mind and activates the brain’s reward pathways, releasing dopamine, the ‘reward chemical’.
Many of these creative pursuits tap into chromotherapy or the healing power of colour which can be simple and transformative. The simple act of choosing colours to sketch, paint, photograph or combine in a garden can help identify the emotions you wish to enhance or balance. Each colour carries its own unique emotional resonance. Strategically using these colours can facilitating healing and emotional well-being.
Engaging in creative classes or groups reduces feelings of isolation and collaborative creative work creates a sense of belonging and camaraderie.
When I stepped in to host the Grief Café in Bradford on Avon I was keen to make it an undemanding, gentle, creative space rather than just an opportunity to sit and talk.
I’m so glad I did.