Creativity and mental well-being: A reflective journey

Creativity allows us to process emotions in our own time, in our own way. For some people, expressing themselves verbally can be really hard, whether in therapy or in everyday life. I’ve worked with many young people who struggle with self-expression, and I see how creative activities give them a way to communicate without pressure, without expectation.

How creative expression helps us process emotions

From my own perspective and experience, engaging in creative activities has helped me process so much. Sadness, anxiety, frustration… all of it. Music, for example, has always been something that connects me to my emotions on a deep level. I remember being a young girl, playing the guitar, and feeling like it was the one thing that helped me make sense of myself, and discover my sense of worth and belonging.

One memory that stands out is from when I was 17. I was going through a really difficult time with my mental health, and I travelled to Spain. It was there that I went to my first flamenco concert, and I remember watching the guitarist play. It made me feel excitement. It made me feel happiness. Feelings that, at that time in my life, I had barely experienced - at least not at such an intense level. That moment stayed with me. It showed me how powerful creativity can be, how it can connect us to something deeper within ourselves.

Creativity reduces stress and encourages relaxation

It’s not always easy to find time to slow down, but when I do something creative, I notice how my body and mind respond. It’s like stepping into a space where everything else fades away. I think that’s why creative therapy can be so powerful - it brings mindfulness and presence into the moment, and that alone can lower stress levels. Even biologically, things like drawing, writing, or playing music lower cortisol levels, making stress easier to manage.

Building confidence and self-worth through creativity

When working with young people, I've seen how creativity can build confidence and self-worth. I remember one time making Christmas decorations with my young residents. It was such a simple thing, but the pride they felt in what they created was so visible. It was more than just crafting - it gave them a sense of achievement. Some of them even said, “I didn’t know I had this in me.” And that really stayed with me.

Creative activities foster connection and belonging

Creativity is also about connection. It can bring people together in a way that words sometimes can’t. When I facilitate creative activities in groups, I see how it reduces loneliness and isolation. Slowly, it creates a sense of belonging. That sense of being part of something. I know this personally, too.

I think back to when I was on maternity leave. That was one of the loneliest times in my life. No work, no close family around, just me and the baby. It was hard. But looking back, that’s also when my creativity really surfaced. I started my own little workshop, making furniture, decorations, and containers - things I could sell on Facebook. I never really made money from it, but that wasn’t the point. It gave me a sense of purpose, motivation, and something to focus on. I would share my little projects with friends, gifting them things I had made. And even though I wasn’t earning, it still felt like an achievement. It helped me cope during that time. It gave me direction. It made me feel fulfilled.

How creativity supports emotional healing and trauma recovery

Creativity regulates emotions - it helps with self-regulation and reduces anxiety. It’s an outlet for emotions, a way to release what we might not even realise we’re holding in. 

It also taps into our brain’s reward system. That feeling of happiness when we create something, that sense of achievement - that’s real. Scientifically, creative activities stimulate the brain, improve memory, and strengthen problem-solving skills. It’s actually keeping our brains healthy by creating new neural connections.

In trauma therapy, I see how creativity helps people process trauma in a non-verbal way. Sometimes, words aren’t enough, or they feel too overwhelming. But using things like Playmobil, painting, or storytelling in sessions can create a safe distance from the trauma. It allows clients to explore their experiences in a way that feels less threatening. Creating metaphors and stories together becomes a way of processing things indirectly, making them more manageable.

Creative therapy also helps clients reframe negative experiences into something meaningful. It works a lot like mindfulness - it shifts focus away from negative thought patterns and brings people into the present. And when we do creative activities in groups, it strengthens connections with others, building a support system that can be so crucial for emotional well-being.

For me, one of the biggest things creativity has given me is self-reflection and personal growth. Creativity is endless - it’s like an open field with no limits. I’ve changed so much through my own creative journey. I’ve played the guitar, I’ve drawn, I’ve written, I’ve sung… and every single one of these things has helped me through different stages of my life.

That’s why I encourage my children to embrace creativity too. I want them to have these tools for the future because life is full of ups and downs. We never know when we might need creativity to help us through difficult times. I know I have. And I know I always will.