The COVID-19 pandemic has certainly faced us with a multitude of challenges. With businesses closing their doors, social gatherings put to a halt, and quite frankly no where to go, many of us have had to get creative to stay busy and stimulated during these unusual times. While some kept busy with household repairs and upgrades, others have taken up new hobbies or rediscovered old ones that may have gone dormant when the balancing act of life became too hectic. 

Personally, I was able to use the downtime that the pandemic afforded me to get back in touch with my creative side and begin painting once again. Taking the time and making room for this long lost hobby reignited my love for art and design, and showed me just how much I appreciate that I can be creative in that space once again. I look forward to moving forward on the other side of this pandemic and taking with me the passion for art that I have been able to reintroduce myself to over the last year. 

If you have any creative interests that may have taken a back seat to a busy schedule, I encourage you to reacquaint yourself with them and see where the road takes you. Not only does having interests outside of your responsibilities help provide you with a sense of balance and fulfillment, but engaging in creative behaviours is also beneficial to your health. Here are the ways in which reconnecting with your art can help you to improve brain function, mental health, and physical health. 

 

Increased Happiness

Working on projects allows you to get lost in your work. As an artist, you can often get into a flow where your sense of time and awareness hits pause and your sole concentration is on the beauty you are creating. Repetitive movements can also have this effect; Activities such as writing, drawing, or knitting can create a flow and increase your motivation. With constant coverage of COVID-19 and the depressing set of statistics that hit our news feeds daily, taking a break and getting lost in something you enjoy can reduce anxiety and boost your mood. 

 

Increased Intellectual Ability

If you play an instrument or want to take some beginners lessons, there are more benefits than just making cool sounds. Those who play instruments have greater connections between both the left and right brain. While the left brain takes control of the motor functions, the right brain attends to the melody. This connection allows for cognitive function to improve. While it is not an easy skill to master in an uninterrupted afternoon at home, with lots of practice you are sure to pick up a great new hobby and feel more intellectually stimulated in times where that may otherwise be lacking. 

 

Boosts Mental Health

Finding ways to improve our mental health has certainly been a topic that the pandemic has underscored in this past year. Engaging in creative activity helps to focus the mind, and has calming effects on the brain and body. If you have found yourself struggling to maintain good mental health during these times, taking up an artistic past-time could reduce feelings of anxiety, depression and stress. Studies suggest that writing can assist in the management of negative emotions, while painting or drawing can help to express feelings without having to put it into words. These creative outlets can help you be productive in times when you may typically struggle. 

It isn’t often that the world slows down enough that we can reconnect with a side of us that may have been previously lost. The fact that there are health benefits that may help us to cope with these unprecedented circumstances is an added bonus. Get in touch with your creative side once again, or take on a hobby that you have always wondered about. Whether it's doodling in a sketchbook, colouring in a fancy adult colouring book, painting, or trying your hand at music or pottery, embracing your artistic side will feel good and help you pass the time in a healthy and active manner.