How to boost your creativity
10 proven ways that will lead to having fun
What do you do just for the fun of it? I have spoken to many people who replied: “Fun? Oh, I don’t know. Do something because it's fun, that was a long time ago."
Some don’t even have a clue what that could be. They have forgotten how it works, and what to do for fun. Fun & leisure without any hidden productivity or networking agenda.
I guess that's okay for a short period of time, but in the long run, it doesn’t only have an impact on the mood, but it may also have an impact on the health. It might result in anxiety and stress.
The good thing is that anxiety and stress that hurt your well-being can be fought back with happy moments.
But what to do if you have forgotten how to be happy? How to have fun? Let me ask you what you did as a teenager, or before you had children, which you have since then abolished? Do you even remember? What things do you have on your “to do” list that you always wanted to do?
If that list is empty or you’d like to add some new, cool ideas you need to create some brain space. You need to take a break to make room for creativity. In this perspective, I don’t refer to creativity as in the sense of writing a book, drawing, or painting – but rather being really creative in finding out what you would love to do. What would give you joy?
If you’re always running around, firefighting, you won’t have any time to be creative, or to think for that matter.
In Sweden we have a saying that the shoemaker is the one who has the worst shoes. I’m a bit like that shoemaker. I know what I should do, how to tank energy and to give creativity some space, but I’m really bad at exercising it.
For exactly that reason I’ve put together the below list. To remind both of us about breaks, and why they are so important.
1. Social media detox
In today’s environment we have access to news and information around the clock. For some it’s more important to stay informed than others. However, the way news is communicated – the more shocking, the more clicks and views it gets – it has an impact on our mental and even physical health.
A study covering the Boston Marathon bombing (conducted in 2013), showed that people who consumed more than 6 hours of news per day had more acute stress symptoms than people who were at the actual site of the bombings. Can you imagine that? People who were on the site, effectively experiencing the attack, weren’t as mentally affected as those who were miles away that read about it.
Another research showed that even if the news stories aren’t directly relevant to you, it produces sadness and anxiety and may increase your personal worries.
Our brain is trained to detect threats. Its job is to keep us alive, to avoid threats at any cost. It can be threats that seem completely irrelevant to us, but the brain doesn’t know that. If you receive an upsetting e-mail, or chat, your brain registers that as a threat. If you then also consume news, even though they may not seem relevant to you, the brain adds that on top of the threat pile.
Your brain prefers to focus on known areas, it doesn’t want to have to deal with threatening scenarios, it only wants to keep you safe. It definitely doesn’t want to think of any new stuff. Who knows what other threats those new, unknown, territories could entail.
In order to detect new passions, or activities that can be fun, you therefore need to create some space. Be kind to yourself and give your brain a social media break.
2. Spend time in nature
When was the last time that you walked around in nature, listening to nothing but the birds?
Go out in nature, or if you’re in the city to the nearest green space. Use most of your five senses. You will be amazed at what you will hear, smell and see.
Unless you’re acquainted with flora & fauna, I suggest you leave out taste and touch. We don’t want you to be poisoned, or getting any type of allergic reaction, ending up in the hospital.
3. Relaxing exercise
As we all know, exercise in general has many benefits. In this case, it’s not about getting rid of any excessive energy, or weight, but to make brain space and be able to reflect. For this a slower type of exercise such as walking, hiking or yoga is the way to go.
It mustn't always be about becoming faster, slimmer and stronger.
4. Meditate
Meditation has been shown to help people stress less, focus more and even sleep better. If you’re new to meditation, and don’t know where to start, there are many free options on YouTube or apps that can help you, such as e.g. the Headspace app (btw I'm not sponsored, just a fan).
You don’t need to start with a 30 minutes daily meditation. Start small. Get used to it and notice its benefits. It’s better to start small, than doing nothing at all.
5. Breath
There is a simple breathing exercise that you can do without logging into an app or turn to YouTube. Something that’s really easy to remember too. Here it comes.
Breath in – count to 6
Hold your breath – count to 2
Breath out – count to 7
Repeat five times after each other.
Even though we have to breath to stay alive, doing this exercise is more efficient if you’re undisturbed. Someone shouting “mama!” or “darling!” doesn’t really help when trying to focus only on your breathing.
6 – 2 – 7
Easy to remember.
6. Take a long bath
This one is a bit more difficult to do if you don’t have a bathtub. But if you do, isn’t it the greatest thing to soak in a bath? I must confess that I seldom do it without a book, but the last time I put my book away for ten minutes or so. Let the thoughts wander. Think of everything and anything.
7. Create a gratitude list
Stress and anxiety cannot co-exist with gratitude, therefore creating a gratitude list is a great recipe on how to reduce your stress level. Take a piece of paper and note down things, people, events – whatever comes in your mind - that you are grateful for.
8. Spend time with people who give energy
We all know them. The energy drainers. Let’s put them aside for a while. Make a conscious decision and chose to spend time with supportive, energy-giving people instead. Avoid the others.
Here's some food for thought. Which person would you prefer to be with:
“Wow! That is so cool! Let me know how I can support you.”
or
“Really? That sounds boring. Are you really sure you want to do it? I wouldn’t”
Okay, sometimes we need to take off those pink glasses, and look at potential risks, but I am of the opinion that if we believe we are invincible half of the battle is already won.
9. Listen to music
Listening to music is another act that may help counteract with negative and dark thoughts. However, music can also agitate and unsettle, so chose your music carefully.
10. Ask for help
Airing your thoughts with someone can open the doors to activities you didn’t even think of yourself. What you need to be aware of though, is that people tend to give advice based on their own experience and in particular fears.
None of the above activities on the list are really difficult. The thought of this list isn’t that you have to do all of them, and especially not that you squeeze them in all at ones, or even in the same week. I suggest you pick one or two that works for you. Put them in your calendar, and make sure to follow through.
Before I forget. Remember number nine? While thinking of how you want to be met by others, why not make a side note already today, deciding how you want to react the next time someone tells you something they’re excited about. Be an energy giver.
Suggestion further reading for freelancers: Stay Sharp – How to Boost Creativity When Work Subsides
