Source: Every Day Health; Medically Reviewed by Christine Wilmsen Craig, MD

If you have ever wanted to take singing, dancing, or knitting lessons, you’ve got a perfect reason to start: Creativity reduces stress and keeps you healthy!

Is there something you’ve always wanted to learn, like singing, dancing or acting? Or perhaps you have a love for horses and want to take riding lessons? Don’t brush it off as a silly extravagance or something you just don’t have the time or money for—-giving into your creative desires is not only fun, it is also good for your emotional health.

Why is creativity important? It is important for a number of reasons, including:

—It is fun and enjoyable. Doing things that you like reduces stress and improves overall wellbeing.

—It stimulates the brain. Creativity sharpens the brain, which can stem the advance of dementia in old age. The more new things you learn, the more use the brain gets, the sharper it will remain. It is often recommended that seniors learn new skills and challenge themselves with new opportunities, but this recommendation is appropriate for any age.

—It boosts self-confidence. Trying new things can improve self-confidence and make you a more interesting person.

Creative Thinking: A Balanced Life

You already know that all work and no play do not make for a healthy life and can result in a pretty unhappy you. But that also doesn’t mean that all play and no work is good either, and that is why striking the right balance is so important.

Working and being productive helps keep you sharp, organized, and even happy—-as long as it is well balanced with leisure and creativity. Whether it is at your daily job, taking care of your children, or cleaning up your home and yard, you feel a great sense of accomplishment after a productive day—-and that does a lot for your emotional health. But we all need time to rest and rejuvenate, and do something fun and stimulating. So block off some time each day or each week for a little creativity.

During your “you” time, do anything that you enjoy. Here are some good ways to challenge your brain, learn new skills, and get your creative juices flowing: write in a journal; tackle a crossword puzzle; take a knitting, crochet, quilting class; take up gardening; take a cooking class; learn to sing or play a musical instrument. Most importantly, whatever you decide to do, make it fun.

Menus

Wed, 3/10 — Pineapplepepper chicken, green beans, seasoned rice, bread, pink stuff;

Thurs., 3/11 — Chili dogs w/cheese, Fritos, dump cake;

Fri., 3/12 — Beef lasagna, salad, mixed veggies, garlic bread, fruit;

Mon., 3/15 — Chicken strips with white gravy, mashed potatoes, broccoli and cheese, bread, poke cake;

Tues, 3/16 — Jambalaya, mixed salad, seasoned corn, crackers, spice cake.