The Link

Does it surprise you that anxiety and creativity are linked? Just as scientific research has found that anxious people tend to be more intelligent, there seems to also be a correlation between anxiety and being more creative. The connector? Imagination!

The same trait that can inspire art and innovation can lead kids (and adults) to spiral into anxiety. You won't believe the numbers of creative people like artists, singers, actors, and writers struggle with anxiety. 

BUT, art, writing, and music is used in therapy because it can help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression.
Research has also shown that creativity helps you to cope with difficult situations and have a more positive outlook on life.

So, what's the deal?

A Tool or Sabotage? 

In 6th grade Social Studies, you learn about a guy named Voltaire. His name will pop up again and again because he liked to stir people up. He was a philosopher who wrote books about his ideas and one of his more famous quotes was about perfection.

The stress of doing something perfectly can stop you from trying. In fact, the pressure to succeed at creativity is what might stop you in the first place. 

Voltaire's quote was "perfect is the enemy of the good," meaning that wanting things to be perfect will stop you from doing good. ​

This is the biggest barrier for you to be creative if you have anxiety. It's hard to let go and lose control. It's also hard to let people see your feelings.

But being creative requires you to let go of the tyranny of perfectionism. 

As your anxiety sabotages your creativity like a toddler that hits and kicks his mom, you need to understand how important creativity is and pursue it. It’s never too late to start.

Creativity is another tool in your toolbox. It's a way to work out your feelings, to find calm and to express who you are.

It's our favorite tool. We even built a whole stinking building for it. 
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Ways Creativity Helps

Judgement Free Zone
Being creative allows you a space to express yourself without worrying about your worries. Sometimes we get caught up in worrying about what others might think or do and we need "private time" (what we call it in our house) to do things without worrying what others think. Even if you're creating the most magnificent thing or if you just want to doodle and not think about big stuff, being creative frees us from judgement. 

A New Perspective
When you focus on making or doing, you're questioning parts of your Personal or Social Identity. You might pretend to be someone or something else. You might explore Characters (through writing or drawing or theater) or you might pretend to be a famous singer while listening to music, or imagine you have to build a super important engineering project to meet a need. You might rethink some parts of who you are or add new character traits. 

Work It Out
Sometimes you don't even know what you need until you allow yourself space to be creative. You might feel overwhelmed or disappointed or nervous and giving yourself the time to work it out by focusing on something else will help your brain to process what you need. You can listen to music, make music (google music lab is awesome!), draw, paint, build something, dance, stare at the trees, or take a walk. Creativity is A LOT like Mindfulness, except you are refocusing your energy on making or doing. You might find you can Identify new feelings or new ideas about your Plan. ​

A Boost for Self-Confidence
Another benefit of being creative is that it boosts self-confidence. When you come up with a creative idea, you take pride in your accomplishment. Positive thinking about yourself and your ideas adds money to your self-esteem and self-efficacy bank. This confidence can also help your Plan and practicing your Plan, because you'll feel more assertive and take a proactive approach to problem-solving. It will help you think outside the box. 

Improves Cognitive Function
Creativity improves cognitive function by engaging the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain responsible for decision-making, problem-solving, and complex thinking.It involves both convergent thinking, which involves finding the correct answer to a problem, and divergent thinking, which involves generating multiple solutions to a problem. Creative activities help to improve both types of thinking and overall cognitive function, which builds your staircase and helps you manage anxiety. 

Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Creativity encourages innovation and entrepreneurship. When you are creative, you come up with unique and original ideas. Unique and original ideas that can eventually lead to the development of something new. You are training your brain to come up with different approaches to challenging problems and tasks, which can lead to more efficient solutions. (Hello, Plan? I thought of a great idea.) Creativity also allows you to come up with unique solutions that are different from existing ones. You could invent something and change the world!

Communication Skills
Creativity allows you to express yourself in unique and original ways. It's a different way to Identify and communicate and your thoughts and feelings. Being in a creative space helps you articulate your thoughts and ideas. It can also help practice empathy because creative activities often involve exploring emotions and understanding others' perspectives. You might find that you are better able to communicate with others because you have a sfae way to express yourself!

A Sense of Purpose
Creativity provides a sense of purpose when you make or do something you enjoy and find fulfilling. It can also provide a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction, leading to increased motivation and happiness.
One of the great things about being creative is that it allows you to explore your interests and passions, which can help you Find Your Spark.

Links to more resources to help you manage your anxiety: