7 Reasons Why Creativity Builds Resilience

Illustration of kreativity fosters self-resilience or resilience (Freepik/pch.vector)

YOGYAKARTA – When you are stressed, creativity is needed to relieve it. According to psychologist and creativity consultant, Michelle Chappel, Ph.D., creative hobbies may seem like the most needed thing in dealing with stress. Why is that? This is the connection between creativity and growing resilience.

1. Creativity opens perspectives, provides insight, and new inspiration

In short, creativity reduces stress, anxiety, and depression. With creativity we become resilient. When we are stressed, attention narrows and we don't see other possibilities. That's why we need creativity to open perspectives, provide insight, and new inspiration.

Psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, creativity can put us in a state of flow. Furthermore, Chappel's advice was summarized by Diane E. Dreher, Ph.D., reported by Psychology Today, Monday, March 17, spending half an hour or an hour on something creative can improve our mental health and ability to solve problems.

2. Finding hidden strengths

When feeling monotonous, it is important to start experimenting with creative projects. In this way, we can find our own strengths and meaningful skills that have been missed.

Illustration of creativity fostering resilience (Freepik/pch.vector)

3. Solving problems

Cognitive psychology sees creativity as a way to solve problems. When you are in a pinch, creative ways find a way out. For example, Chappel's story, he needed a hammer to hit the nail to hang the picture given by his friend. But because he didn't have a hammer, his thick textbook could replace the hammer's job.

4. Incubation

Another aspect of creativity is incubation, which is where we can take a break from solving problems to explore new insights. A 2014 study by Oppezzo and Schwartz showed how walking in nature increases reactivity and problem-solving skills.

5. Finding new combinations

Combining previous ideas in new combinations can also increase creativity. By combining ideas that have been written in a journal, we can find new combinations. This also opens up opportunities to find new findings.

6. Learn from mistakes

Resilience means learning from mistakes and overcoming the fear of starting something new. Making mistakes is how we learn, says Chappel.

7. Be part of a community

People who make breakthroughs are much faster as a group, not as individuals. Because in a group there is a creative synergy that can be developed. Each other also collaborates which can make us connected and low stress. A 2023 study showed that group energy can heal and inspire.

To build resilience with creativity, you can start by finding a creative activity that you enjoy. You can start by pursuing a simple hobby, such as drawing, cooking, or yoga. Once, change the route to work. This is a simple way to break the established way of thinking. In addition to needing to conserve energy, or limit activities that make us feel helpless, it is also important to write down feelings as a therapeutic way to relieve stress, reduce stress, and improve mental health.