Putting your mind at rest
ALMOST half of all Australians will experience some symptoms of mental distress during their lifetime, with anxiety and depression the most common experiences.
Professor Michael Berk, from Deakin University’s School of Medicine, says finding a creative pursuit is one way we can help look after our minds.
The focused and rhythmical nature of activities like knitting or drawing can help distract us from worries and negative thought patterns.
“Mindful activities that you enjoy, where we can focus deeply and exclude the troublesome outside world, are healthy and a great way of coping,” Prof Berk said.
These pursuits can be gratifying enough on their own. But setting attainable goals around them can add an extra layer of structure and sense of achievement, which can boost our confidence and our mood.
“The process of pursuing and engaging in an enjoyable, goal-directed activity releases dopamine and other chemicals that play a role in regulating mood,” Prof Berk said.
“Being able to engage in anything that’s productive and meaningful is valuable for our mental health, growth and development. It doesn’t matter what that activity is, it’s a healthy and adaptive psychological strategy.”
Regular meaningful and enjoyable activities can also help create a better work-life balance, which can contribute positively to overall health.
But what about for those suffering from mental health problems?
According to Prof Berk, it’s especially important for those who are struggling to channel their anxiety and distress into constructive coping activities, which can take the form of a creative pursuit.
“And again there’s that important sense of achievement and control,” he said. “It can be a way of processing and making sense of negative emotions, stress and trauma.”
For example, writing and journaling can allow us to navigate and express feelings or events we’ve experienced that cannot be changed — such as a loss, stress or bereavement — in a productive way.
Painting and drawing can also help us express trauma that is too difficult to verbalise.
Although it might feel painful in the short term, creativity can be cathartic and remedial in the long term, and can help support recovery. Ultimately, it can help us better understand our sense of self.
“How you create and what you create is an expression of who you are,” Prof Berk said.
“It reflects your individuality and capacity, which reinforces your sense of identity.”
Creative pursuits can even become a social affair, by bringing together like-minded people who share similar interests.
Attending book clubs, art, music or dance classes, or even just visiting a gallery can help us connect with others. This can reduce loneliness, increase social support and help us gain a sense of belonging.
In turn, we’re aiding our mental health and recovery.
So, with those positives in mind, set aside time for yourself regularly to engage in a creative pursuit — whether it’s on your commute, during a lunch break, or at the end of a long day. Everyone is capable of being creative. Start small and find what works for you.