To capture emotional well-being, we use more subjective measurements that consider mood, worry, stress, happiness, and level of confidence we feel about managing our health.
Sometimes lab results explain why we’re experiencing certain health challenges, and sometimes they don’t. Without test results that validate our health issues, there might not be a specific medical treatment to help. It’s those situations where working on our emotional well-being might be the only thing we can do to cope.
I was heartened to learn that studies provide support for how much creativity helps subjective well-being. One study, “Being Creative Makes You Happier: The Positive Effect of Creativity on Subjective Well-Being,”1 describes how a sense of well-being promotes creativity, and creativity is conducive to well-being. The more creative we are, the more satisfied with our well-being we become. And the better our well-being seems to us, the more creative we tend to be.
It’s a chicken and egg scenario, and I like learning that creativity is not frivolous. It’s good for overall health!
Creativity can be considering unusual solutions in everyday situations. I didn’t have a rolling pin for a pie crust, so I used a cocktail shaker. My brand-new manicure chipped at the tips of a couple nails. A quick brush of an accent color on those nails and the same on the other hand fixed the chips and made the manicure look like an intentional design choice. I love being creative with leftover food and turning it into a new gourmet dish. I take pride in being able to create delicious meals when someone else looks in the kitchen and thinks there’s “nothing to eat.”
Living with Multiple Sclerosis can lead to more sobering problem-solving opportunities. I spend a lot of time looking for ways to improve my health in hopes of slowing disease progression and managing symptoms. It can be frustrating and annoying. I find I’m happier when I approach problem solving with creativity. Medical providers might suggest certain exercises or lifestyle changes. If I don’t like what they suggest, can I find alternatives that would accomplish the same things in a way more pleasing for me?
Anything involving self-expression is a creative endeavor. Hair style and color, makeup, clothing choices, nail polish, jewelry, and eye glasses have tons of options. Having fun with them can be a fairly low risk commitment. When MS leads to needing to change shoe preferences or other accommodations, are there styles or ways to customize them and reflect my personality and style?
People often say they can’t draw or they’re not artistic. I would challenge them to rethink the purpose of art. It’s not all about the end result. Doodling, coloring, drawing, painting, and assembling collages can be enjoyable no matter the level of skill. Paint & sip gatherings are fun for the experience, and you can modify yours however you’d like. Participating with the sole expectation of having fun allows creativity to flow. You might surprise yourself. If you don’t like it, you can paint over it. If you think it’s a masterpiece, enjoy it!
If visual arts like painting, sculpture and photography aren’t interesting to you, consider writing, humor, or music. Anything that expands skills and stimulates different perspectives promotes creativity. Creativity promotes well-being, and who couldn’t use more of that?
1. Tan, Cher-Yi, Chun-Qian Chuah, Shwu-Ting Lee, and Chee-Seng Tan. “Being Creative Makes You Happier: The Positive Effect of Creativity on Subjective Well-Being.” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 18, no. 14 (July 6, 2021): 7244. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18147244.
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