About creativity
For the world to advance, significant inventions are practically required. Though it is simple to come up with an idea, creative ideas are frequently revolutionary. Although everyone is creative to varying degrees, everyone is creative.
How does creativity work?
Creativity is a skill that can be learned and developed, not given at birth. However, it is clear that creativity comes from many different and unique sources; therefore, how a person has been taught from childhood and lived can majorly impact creativity (Jenkins, 2022).
Scientific studies could not find one specific part of the brain that is entirely associated with creativity. It seems that creativity is a combination of many parts and factors of the brain working together (Jenkins, 2022).
Can creativity be taught?
The information and experience people acquire as they learn and use creative thinking processes are symbolized by creativity. Living experiences have a significant impact on creativity as well since they alter how a person perceives and engages with the environment. Like the majority of human skills, it is a skill that anyone can learn and hone. That is not something that only a few people receive at birth. Everyone is creative at some level (Jenkins, 2022).
How does school influence creativity?
While schools can offer some sources that may increase creativity, they have more negative effects. The current educational system was created during the Industrial Revolution over two hundred years ago with the objective of training people to be efficient workers who follow instructions (Naiman, 2014).
Benefits of being a creative person
Mental health
Several studies have shown that being creative can help people feel less stressed and anxious. Also, it aids in reducing the depression, rage, and shame experienced following a tragedy (Field, 2021).
For soldiers suffering from PTSD, the Walter Reed National Military Hospital offers an art therapy program (PTSD). It might be challenging for those with PTSD to verbally articulate their trauma. Creativity is thought to be fostered through the arts. Patients who had received art therapy expressed ideas that they were afraid to share with the public (Field, 2021).
Flow State
When someone is completely absorbed in something they enjoy, they are said to be in a “flow state” and have no concept of time. A person who is in a flow state is intensely attentive to what they are doing. The mind is in a calm state at that moment. The mind is at ease when in a flow state, which promotes a sense of accomplishment. Higher levels of creativity, productivity, and happiness have been reported in those who experience the flow state (Field, 2021).
Ways to improve creativity
Art
Research has proven that artistic activities such as drawing and painting can reduce stress and depression levels. They are also linked to better memory in older adults. Making art instead of just appreciating it has also been shown to prevent cognitive decline.
Music
According to researchers, when people harmonize with others, they have more positive affection toward them. This occurs even when they are not in the same room.
Singing or playing music makes people feel positive and happy, and this is true for all people, from amateurs to professionals. This also happens when just listening to music. Music makes it easier to trust and socially connect with others.
Dance
Studies show that dancing relieves stress and anxiety and also lowers the probability of dementia in elderly people. These benefits were not solely because of the physical exercise. In contrast to other forms of exercise, dancing was the only one that made a difference.
Playing
Playing or storytelling offers long-lasting psychological and developmental advantages. Children learn life skills, such as how to express their emotions, how to better communicate with others, problem-solving, building self-confidence, appreciating diverse ideas and cultures, and being able to find things that make them feel fulfilled and things they have accomplished on their own, through art, sport, games, and all kinds of play. Playing has a strong emotional and cognitive connection, which boosts creativity.
Nature
It has been proven through study and research that nature affects creativity. A group of people who spent four days in a mountain and away from technological devices increased their performance in a problem-solving task by half. By being disconnected from computers and phones, they did not have to attend to sudden events, switch tasks, or maintain task goals (Field, 2021).
Conclusion
For humanity to advance, creativity is necessary, and the world is in need of creative individuals. A great technique to increase your degree of creativity is to always try to think creatively. To improve their creativity, people should strive to be more adaptable in different circumstances.
References
Field, B. (2021). How Creativity Positively Impacts Your Health. [online] Verywell Mind. Available at: https://www.verywellmind.com/how-creativity-positively-impacts-your-health-5113162 [Accessed 18 March 2023].
Jenkins, P. (2021). Where Does Creativity Come From (Explained) – brilliantio. [online] Brilliantio. Available at: https://brilliantio.com/where-does-creativity-come-from/ [Accessed 18 March 2023].
Naiman, L. (2014). Can Creativity Be Taught? Here’s What The Research Says. [online] Creativity at Work. Available at: https://www.creativityatwork.com/can-creativity-be-taught/ [Accessed 18 March 2023].
