We obsess over optimization. Our culture floods us with advice about meditation, sleep, exercise, and nutrition. We download apps to track our breath work and monitor our steps. Yet in this frantic pursuit of self-improvement, creativity rarely gets mentioned.
Research shows that just 45 minutes of creative expression dramatically reduces cortisol levels in the body. Similar benefits occur regardless of artistic skill. When we play with color, sound, or words, inflammation decreases and stress melts away. These physiological changes happen whether or not we consider ourselves “good” at the creative activity.
Imagine your wellness routine as a foundation. Most of us have built sturdy sections for movement, nutrition, and perhaps mindfulness. But that neglected corner where creativity belongs leaves the structure fundamentally unstable. A 20-minute daily walk improves your health, but so might 20 minutes with a sketchbook or musical instrument.
What creative activity made you lose track of time when you were younger? How could you incorporate a version of this into your week? Look at your calendar. Where have you scheduled time for productivity and fitness? Where have you scheduled time for creation? What small creative act could slip into your existing routine without requiring special equipment or extensive preparation?
