CREATIVITY - GOOD FOR YOUR HEART - By Autumn Boyet-Stinton

The Top 5 Ways Creativity Is Good For Your Heart:

1. Creativity is relaxing. When we engage both our mind and body in something that we enjoy, our bodies release powerful hormones that relax us, undoing all kinds of damage caused by stress in day -to-day life. 

2. Creativity is a healthy distraction. There is no better way to forget our troubles, challenges, and pain than to get involved in meaningful creative projects. A creative project is a great way to focus on what IS working in your life, rather than what isn't. 

3. Creativity gets our heart pumping. From the adrenaline that gets going when we're happily engaged, to the often quite physical nature of art, creativity gets our insides moving and shaking. Painting, sculpting, writing (especially via longhand), and running around town looking for "art junk" at flea markets is GREAT exercise. 

4. Creativity gives our self-esteem a boost. Endless studies have been done on the effects of positive self esteem on general health. When we create something that we're proud of, we get a huge psychological boost that has endless rewards. Think of the small child who shows off a drawing and says "Look what I did!" We all need a healthy dose of that kind of pride!

5. Creativity offers great opportunities for connection with others. You share your art or writing with someone else and it sparks a meaningful conversation . . . you post your work in an online contest and others comment on it . . . you collaborate on a creative project to create something from two heads instead of one . . . you donate your work for a charitable cause that makes a difference to others. These are just a few examples of many the kinds of connections that creativity can provide. They all remind us that we are not alone on this planet, or in our pursuits of creativity. Connection with others makes us healthier and happier, and truly part of the fabric of the world.

My thoughts:

This was GREAT!  I loved it...especially #5...I love the connection with people that ART brings into my life.  Sharing something that is a "JOY" in my life with others who are like-minded brings me MORE JOY!

Not to mention I really can't think of a better way to get to know someone than looking at the art that they create....It is like looking into someone's soul...

Here's to all the CONNECTIONS we make here and the JOY that you all bring into my life! 

Happy CREATING everyone!