How Can Creativity Help In The Workplace?

Creativity is the ability to transcend traditional ways of thinking or acting, and to develop new and original ideas, methods or objects.

It’s so often overlooked, but creativity in the workplace has never been more important. Sure, practical thinking is important and needed within a business, but thinking creatively can lead to growth. Since the pandemic things have been tough for all of us, businesses included. It’s at times like these that we need to have a creative mindset, not only in our personal lives but towards our work or business too. It might just be the difference between success and failure. 

We hear time and time again, “but I’m not creative”, but in our view, that really doesn’t matter. You just need to find a way to discover your creativity, and that of your team - we’re all different after all. There is no right or wrong way to be creative. You just need to find out what works for you, and how you express your creativity. And there are so many different shapes and sizes to creativity…It could be painting, doodling, cooking, singing or writing? 

Spend some time finding out how you love to be creative, and what makes you feel most creative. It should be something you love, so you probably already know what it is. And then (here’s the hard part), make time to actually work on this. Could you get up a little earlier in the morning and have a few minutes to yourself before the day begins, or is it something you could pick up on your lunch break?  

There are so many benefits to your wellbeing by being creative, but it’s important to make time to do it. It’s like a muscle after all, we need to keep using it to get better. At The Mindful Craft Company, we understand that creativity can help in the following ways…

• Reduces Anxiety

• Boosts Confidence 

• Teaches Us New Skills 

• Allows For Self-Expression

• Increases Self-Esteem 

• Improves Social Connection 

• Reduces Stress 

• Increases Happiness

But why are these things so important in the workplace? By improving our confidence and self-esteem, reducing stress and improving social connection, you’ve got a happier, healthier and more productive team. 

Reduces Anxiety

Studies have shown that creativity is proven to alleviate anxiety, depression and stress. With 76% of employees in the UK reporting moderate-to-high or high levels of stress*, it’s easy to see what impact this could have on our productivity, and our overall mental health. By creating time during your day to switch off from pressures of work, and be creative you could significantly reduce your levels of anxiety. 

Boosts Confidence 

As children were encouraged to play, get messy, be curious, make mistakes. But as we get older, we lose this playfulness. We colour inside the lines; we confirm and we lose the ability to think creatively. Why do we do this? Is there a fear of being judged? Does a memory of being told a drawing wasn’t good, mean you never want to draw again? If you can take the time to practice creativity again, it will become easier and you’ll regain your confidence. In the workplace it can give you the confidence to come up with new ideas, question things and solve complex problems. So start colouring outside the lines! 

• Teaches Us New Skills 

As already mentioned, we lose our playfulness as we get older. The same could be said for learning. It’s always important to continue to learn, develop and grow. Choose a new creative skill to learn, and we believe it will better your mental health. 

• Self-Expression

Creativity is one area of our lives that we can show true self-expression. We get it, that’s scary! But trust us, by allowing yourself this outlet you’ll learn so much about yourself. By learning to take risks and express ourselves (rather than stifle ourselves in fear of judgment in the workplace), we can come up with new ideas, and explore these with our team mates, with no fear of judgment. 

• Self-Esteem 

Creativity can be used as a tool to build self-esteem. According to the BBC Arts Great British Creativity Test It suggested that being creative can help avoid stress, free up mind space and improve self-development, which helps build self-esteem.

The top 10 most popular creative pastimes from the survey sample were:

1. Singing - 12.4%

2. Painting, drawing, printmaking or sculpture - 12.2%

3. Gardening - 12%

4. Reading novels, stories, poetry or plays - 11.9%

5. Playing a musical instrument - 9.8%

6. Cookery or baking - 9.8%

7. Crafts - EG knitting and embroidery - 7.8%

8. Creative writing - 6.8%

9. Dancing - 5.5%

10. Photography 4.7%

• Improves Social Connection 

By taking part in craft activities as a group, it can improve social connections - reduce loneliness and social isolation. With more of us working remotely, it can make us feel more engaged and be an opportunity to connect with others in a creative way.

• Reduces Stress 

Can creativity reduce stress? Of course it can. By taking yourself away from a stressful environment, or after a busy day at the office, spending time to unwind and get into ‘flow’ by doing something creative…even if it’s as simple as coloring. 76% of participants in the BBC Arts Great British Creativity Test said they use creative activities as a "distraction tool" to block out stress and anxiety.

• Increases Happiness

Ok, so this one might be slightly subjective, but we’d argue that being creative can make you happier. Try it and see! 

*D. Fancourt and R. Perkins (2018). ‘Effect of singing interventions on symptoms of postnatal depression: three-arm randomised controlled trial’, BJPsych.