Are you running out of Netflix shows to watch? Are you tired of watching the news? Perhaps this is a good time to let your creative side run free! An article in Forbes in 2008 discussed the health benefits of being creative. Being creative can improve your mental and physical health, by increasing your overall happiness and reducing dementia. It can actually make you smarter, by strengthening the connection between your left and right brain! There are lots of easy ways to let your creative side flow at home, here are just a few.
Follow a painting tutorial
Search “Bob Ross” on Netflix or YouTube to find Bob Ross painting tutorials. You will need some paint supplies like a palette and some type of paper or canvas to follow along. Not only are these videos appropriate for different levels, but they are also incredibly calming to listen to (or even just to watch!)
Start sketching
All you need for this is a drawing utensil and something to draw on! If you have different media such as pencils and paints, experiment and compare them to see which you like best. Look around you for inspiration – from flowers in your garden to a portrait of your cat. Being creative is all about letting your imagination flow, whatever the end product.
Pick up an instrument
If you have any instruments lying around, even if it’s your daughter’s old recorder, pick it up and give it a try! Learning a new instrument can actually help improve your memory and stimulate the brain. And as we discussed in our blog called Happiness with Nightingale, listening to music can reduce anxiety!
Adapted from https://www.forbes.com/sites/ashleystahl/2018/07/25/heres-how-creativity-actually-improves-your-health/#30017ff113a6 & https://www.inc.com/john-rampton/the-benefits-of-playing-music-help-your-brain-more.html
