A pill for the mind: why it is important to engage in creativity

If you've ever asked yourself how often our childhood dreams (of becoming someone) are realized in adult life, expectations and reality often do not coincide. A study of the closest social circle shows that only 15% of these dreams come true. What is the reason for this?

When we are young, we are not afraid to dream, and our even absurd ideas seem to always come true. But with each new year of life, a person acquires more restrictions, limits, and stereotypes. And already at a conscious age, they face a kind of crisis of values, feeling a strong need for change. And, unfortunately, they often choose the path not according to the call of the heart but trying to meet someone's expectations (mostly their parents').

In one of his works, Zen master and writer John Daido Loori noted, "It doesn't matter where creativity comes from. It is important that it is in each of us and is just waiting for expression!". And this is scientifically proven: everyone has creative inclinations, although not everyone can always see them. Today there is a trend of life-long learning, and at the age of 25-35, despite the fear of the unknown, people are ready to "start over". And it's great not to be afraid to realize your childhood dream. Someone tries to become an actress, someone tries to write their first script, and someone is ready to take out a loan and produce their own movie.

In most cases, this desire is an opportunity to fulfill one of their needs:

• self-expression and self-affirmation
• spiritual growth and self-actualization
• enjoyment of the process
• reduced anxiety and stress levels
• preserving the productivity of brain activity

Of course, not everyone who receives a degree in the creative industry becomes an outstanding personality. But everyone who chooses to develop their creative potential gains a number of privileges by default. One of the main ones is the ability to recognize oneself and perhaps even rethink life. In addition, there are a number of biological, psychological, and physical indicators that improve due to involvement in the creative sphere. And this is not to mention the development of aesthetic taste, more developed imagination, and the ability to observe and analyze.

In addition, the development of creative potential helps a person gain freedom, and engaging in creative activities is akin to a meditative state. A person is immersed in the process and concentrates on their inner world, disconnecting from external stimuli. At the same time, scientists emphasize that people who are fond of creativity have a better ability to cope with negative emotions and solve problems faster. And research of neural processes has already shown that people of art use a different way of understanding the world. This is usually called creativity, which helps people feel happier.

While conducting research in the field of creative therapy, Girija Kaimal concluded that even a single creative activity reduces cortisol levels. At the same time, psychologists and art experts claim that creative activity increases activity in the prefrontal cortex, stimulating the brain's reward system. A person who is engaged in creativity for 15-20 minutes increases their ability to find new ideas and solve complex tasks (problems).

Progressive medicine also uses creativity as a treatment tool. Art therapy today is a popular "pill" in modern medical centers. Patients who, in addition to taking medication, are engaged in painting (for example), experience better sleep, lessening of symptoms of illness, as well as increased social activity and reduced anxiety. Of course, creativity has a positive effect on emotions, but most importantly, it reduces the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease by stimulating brain activity.

An interesting fact is that people who are engaged in "drawing" during meetings or conferences memorize 29% more information than their (at first glance) more attentive colleagues.

However, creative expression can also be found in meaningful movie watching. According to scientists, certain movie genres promote the production of hormones. Thus, watching a comedy not only relieves irritation but also helps the immune system by releasing endorphins. A team from the University of Maryland (UMMS) noted in their study that watching comedies dilates blood vessels, and increases blood flow. Thus, laughter protects the heart, reducing the likelihood of attacks in various diseases. At the same time, watching horror movies increases blood pressure and promotes heart palpitations. And fear in moderate doses speeds up the metabolism and strengthens resistance to diseases.

Today, being creative is a natural desire and a form of adaptation to any life situation. And thanks to creative self-knowledge, a person avoids feelings of dissatisfaction and sees more value in his or her own path. And the eternal question "What is the meaning of life?" finds its answer at least in meaning itself.