The Power of Creativity in Enhancing Mental Health
Creativity is often seen as a gift reserved for artists, musicians, or those with a natural flair for expression. However, it is far more than that. It is a fundamental aspect of human existence, deeply intertwined with our mental health and overall wellbeing. In his Sunday Times bestselling book The Creative Act, record producer Rick Rubin explores the idea that creativity is not just an activity but a birthright. He suggests that our entire lives are a form of self-expression, and we exist as creative beings in a creative universe.
I first encountered Rubin’s work during a rare solo evening in London, after attending a business conference. I hadn’t heard of him before, but I had certainly felt his influence through his work with artists like LL Cool J, Beastie Boys, Adele, and Linkin Park. That evening, I found myself wandering through a bookshop, lost in a moment of nothingness. I didn’t intend to buy anything, but Rubin’s sparse, grey cardboard cover caught my eye among the attention-grabbing titles. The cashier was enthusiastic, saying, “Oh, you’re going to love this!” She added that it had been life-changing for a musician friend of hers. I took the book home and devoured it the next day on the train back.
Rubin’s perspective on creativity stood in stark contrast to the constant digital noise around me. As people scrolled and tapped on their phones, his words offered a refreshing reminder of the power of curiosity and sensory awakening. It was a revelation that quenched an inner thirst I hadn’t even realized I had.
Creativity is All Around You
When you truly open your eyes to the world, inspiration is everywhere. Creativity is not limited to music, painting, or writing. It can be found in the way light falls through your window, or in the way an old woman on the bus resembles a spy from Hollywood’s Golden Era. It is in the connections we make between ideas and observations.
Creativity also shows up in small, everyday moments—like the urge to turn anger into an improvised dance while slicing potatoes in the kitchen. It is in the decision to walk past ducks or swans on the way to work, or in the ‘aha!’ moments when solving a problem. It is in the choice to surround yourself with colors that make your spirit soar, or in the photos you can’t help but take.
If all of this feels alien right now, take heart. Creativity ebbs and flows, and it may feel dormant, but it is always there, waiting to be reignited.
Creativity and Nervous-System Regulation
When clients meet nervous system coach Chloe Markham, they often arrive feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or burnt out. Many have tried traditional methods like yoga, meditation apps, exercise, and eating well, which can help but often miss something more human and biological: How do we regulate ourselves?
Markham teaches polyvagal theory and uses tools to help people find calmer, more joyful ways of living. “Creativity is one of those tools,” she explains. “It’s not just decorative; it’s regulating.” Many people are surprised to learn that creativity can be a tool for nervous system health. Most associate regulation with calming practices like breathing exercises or meditation.
Research supports this. Studies show that being creative makes us happier by reducing anxiety, depression, and stress. A few years ago, the BBC Arts Great British Creativity Test, partnered with University College London, explored how people use creativity to cope with emotions. It found that creativity served three main functions: to distract from stress, to give people headspace to think and plan, and to build self-esteem and confidence through the challenges creativity brings.
The Surprising Age of Creative Dreams
Creativity isn’t just for the young. A survey found that 84% of people wish they were more artistic, and 60% of those over 60 still have ambitions to create something extraordinary—whether it’s painting a masterpiece or writing a novel. Two-thirds of over-60s feel more creative now than in their 30s, with 88% embracing new experiences more than ever.
“Creativity is one of the ways we make sense of being alive,” says Markham. “It’s how we process experiences, express emotions, and relate to the world. Without it, people often feel disconnected from themselves.”
Creativity: Often Overlooked in Wellness
Despite its obvious benefits, creativity is often left out of wellness discussions. “Wellness has traditionally focused on things like exercise, routines, and optimisation,” says Markham. “Creativity doesn’t always come with clear outcomes, so it gets seen as optional. But unexpressed creativity doesn’t just make us ‘uncreative’—it shows up as anxiety, overwhelm, or ennui.”
Consulting psychologist Dr Ritz Birah sees this disconnect in her therapy practice. People often turn to social media to ease emotional disconnection, but it leaves them feeling depleted. “A woman I worked with spent hours each evening scrolling and responding to posts, but felt she’d done nothing for herself,” Dr Birah says. “Her energy went outward, not inward. People get busy, reactive, and depleted, but not fulfilled, because very little of that energy is turned into meaning or creativity.”
Social media offers stimulation but not real emotional connection, Dr Birah points out. “Our nervous systems evolved for live interaction. Social media compresses this into images, text, and metrics. It feels like connection, but internally it often leaves people feeling unseen.”
Creativity as Part of a Balanced Wellness Routine
Markham advocates for a balanced wellness routine. “You first need to understand how your body reacts to nervous system regulation tools because no two systems are identical,” she explains. “Then, I’d map out an ideal wellness pie: 30% nervous system basics (sleep, rest, safety), 25% movement and physical health, 20% connection (relationships and community), 15-20% creativity and self-expression, and the rest on diet and other habits.”
The trick is not to view creativity as another task to check off your to-do list. “It doesn’t need hours a day,” Markham says. “But it needs to be regular, pressure-free. Small, consistent moments of creativity matter far more than big bursts of effort.”
