Thrive on Creativity - Here’s How
For creativity to thrive, you must learn how to sleep well, eat better, exercise, meditate, and manage stress.
Simple, right?
At first, it can be overwhelming to make these significant changes. That's many areas of your life.
What if we could break this down into daily bite-sized chunks? What if we could focus on making minimal changes that will eventually significantly impact your life?
I'm someone who has struggled with focus and purpose, managing a family, working from home... and list goes on. I'm writing from a place of personal experience.
I want to talk about how small changes to your sleep, nutrition, exercise, meditation, and stress management can positively change your life.
Think of this process as a journey, not a destination.
The goal is a daily improvement, not mastery.
Now, take a deep breath. Breathe all the way in, and hold it for four seconds. Now breathe out, slowly, until all of the air is out of your lungs. Hold for four seconds. Breathe in again, naturally. If you still feel stressed and overwhelmed, repeat 3 or 4 more times.
This is your first strategy for fighting stress and getting to a place of calm. It's also free! I'm not trying to sell you anything. You can use this strategy anytime, anywhere.
Now that you're ready let's dive in.
For creativity to thrive, you need sleep.
Sleep. We all know sleep is essential. So why don't we treat it that way? We may want to watch one more (or five) episodes of the latest Netflix or Apple TV+ series. Maybe we have a project due in the morning, and we need more time to be ready. Maybe our kid won't go the F to sleep.
Yes, there are times when sleep will get interrupted. I don't particularly appreciate hearing the sound of a puking kid at 3 a.m. But alas, that's part of life.
Think of ways you can protect your sleep times. Set up the specific night and wake-up times, primarily if you work from home and your days are very flexible. Let your body get into a rhythm of a nighttime routine and wake-up routine. For example, turn off the phone and read for 15 minutes before lights out. Do this every night. I like to put lavender oil on my legs, as they get restless at night. Could you give your body cues that it's time to sleep?
These small changes ensure you get the essential 8 hours of sleep needed to be creative. By setting up a routine, your body will eventually know it's time to rest or work.
For creativity to thrive, you need to eat better.
Eating better doesn't mean going on a fad diet or hopping onto something restrictive. It's about eating the foods that are good for your body and soul.
Trade processed food for whole, nutrient-dense foods like fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and legumes. Get creative with your meals - use spices to make them tasty and unique. Trade in sugary snacks for healthier options like dark chocolate or roasted nuts & seeds.
You'd be surprised how your energy and creativity levels spike when your body is nourished with wholesome foods.
For creativity to thrive, you need to exercise.
Exercise does wonders for your body, mind, and spirit. It releases endorphins that lift your mood and give you energy.
Yes, getting to the gym can be a challenge. But exercising doesn't have to take hours each day. Start with 10 minutes at home - do some jumping jacks or run up and down the stairs. Take a dance break in your kitchen or a brisk walk around the block.
Find something enjoyable that works for you - yoga, tennis, running, weightlifting - whatever makes you move and smile.
For creativity to thrive, you need to meditate or pray.
Meditating in the morning or at night is a great way to get centered, clear your mind of all distractions, and boost creativity. Meditation can be done anywhere - on a park bench, in the office, or even on your bed. I love doing the mindfulness exercises that Apple Fitness offers! Also, check out the Calm app for daily meditations or the YouVersion Bible App for daily devotions.
Prayer is an excellent way to relax and find peace. Knowing we have a Creator God who cares about every detail of our lives and those around us is freeing. If you have any stress or concerns, pray to God. Believe He hears your cries for help, the longings of your heart, and the hope that things will work out.
For creativity to thrive, you need to manage stress.
I'm going to call stress our chaos factor. Chaos happens when we don't think ahead, make bad decisions, and don't focus on the present moment. External factors, such as a noisy neighbor or an unexpected bill, can cause it. Kids can push it. Spouses or partners can impact it.
Chaos is part of life; let's accept that fact. Can we recognize the signs of stress and catch it early? Can we set boundaries to protect our minds from anxiety, worry, and fear?
We can. Let's start by establishing a few ground rules: Say no to things that don't bring us joy or serve our greater good; take regular breaks throughout the day; have an end-of-the-day ritual to relax and let go of the day's events. Lastly, don't forget to have fun! Life can get serious and chaotic, but that doesn't mean we can't find pleasure in the small moments.
Conclusion
By practicing a better sleep routine, eating better, exercising regularly, meditating or praying, and managing stress, you can create a fertile ground for creativity to thrive. Take the time each day to honor your body and soul - it will pay off in creative dividends. Let's nurture our well-being so we can draw on our creative potential and enrich the world with something unique!
