Creativity
Creative activities have been proven to boost your mental health and wellbeing.
By exploring the arts, whether that be taking part in, watching or experiencing, you can become more aware of your own feelings, learn from others and make positive changes in your life.
Ideas and resources
Creative activities can include:
- drawing
- painting
- taking photographs
- listening to music
- playing an instrument
- writing stories or poetry
- dancing
- singing
- crafting
We have found some great resources for you to learn more about the benefits of creative activities as well as some ideas on how to get started:
NHS Lothian’s Art Therapies’ online arts resources for self-care
Art in Healthcare’s online resource of techniques and inspiration to get creative
Room for Art’s ‘Positive Places’ online exhibition
Art and mental health research from the Mental Health Foundation
6 mindful crafts to help you switch off by Kathryn Wheeler at Happiful
Arts and Creative therapies factsheet from Mind
Five great mental health benefits of art from Art from the streets
Organisations and projects
Artlink aim is to increase opportunities to take part in the arts for those who experience disadvantage or disability in the East of Scotland. It offers practical support so people can get involved and work with venues to increase opportunities to enjoy the arts.
Changes Community Health Project runs art and music groups and activities that offer opportunities to connect with other people and try something new.
Dunbar Craft Centre and Community Shed runs craft workshops and classes, a drop-in and the Community Shed.
East Lothian Art Therapies Service provides person-centred psychological therapies that are based across NHS Lothian in Community, Inpatient and Children and Young People Services.
Get2Gether provides social opportunities for people with disabilities living in the Lothians. Its newsletter has fun activities you can do at home and its social events include music, dancing and craft sessions.
The Musselburgh Art Club is a small, friendly club of amateur artists.
Nordoff Robbins offers music therapy sessions and support you in other forms of group work and/or other types of music activities such its choir, Accessible Music Learning and Musical Conversations.
Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival is one of Scotland’s most diverse cultural events, aiming to support the arts and challenge preconceived ideas about mental health.
If you are looking for support that involves creative activities, please go to our service directory and find what services and project are available to you.
Share your creativity with us!
Let us know what creative projects you’re doing and what resources have inspired you. Please send them to us at eastspace@health-in-mind.org.uk or share them on Twitter #Eastspace.
Our Eastspace volunteer keeps well by painting at home and with her art group. Check out her beautiful watercolour painting.