What do you think of when you hear “self-care”? A hot bath? A long, luxurious massage? An all-inclusive holiday?

Self-care has been a hot topic for a few years now. You see it on hashtags, read it in magazines, and hear about it from friends. But what does it actually mean? 

What is self-care?

Many of us equate self-care with self-indulgence, like going to an expensive spa or getting a facial. But self-care can actually be a lot simpler.  

Lifemind Australia sums it up well. Self-care is any activity that maintains your physical, emotional and mental health. In other words, it helps you cope with stress. 

Everyone deals with stress differently. You may exercise to get through tough times at work, or settle in and watch Netflix. 

How does House of Hobby cope with stress? We get creative! We believe creativity is the ultimate self-care. Here’s why.

Creativity reduces stress and improves your mood 

Did you know creativity lowers the levels of cortisol (the stress chemical) in your body? Yep! Research has shown artistic expression reduces stress. 

It’s also connected to your mood. Creativity increases your chance of entering into a flow state, which releases feel-good chemicals in your brain such as dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine. Flow states regulate your emotions, decrease stress and improve your mood. 

Creativity is a practice in mindfulness

You’ll find many of the tasks on your to-do list are about achieving a result. Working = earn money. Cooking = feed the kids. Networking = make connections. We’re always looking into the future!

Creativity is about the process, not the result. Why is this important? It teaches you to be in the present, slow down and enjoy what you’re doing. It’s mindful. And mindfulness helps you cope with stress, along with other awesome health benefits!

Creativity gives you a break from your busy mind

Do you ever get sick of the chatter in your mind? You know the 60,000 (this is how many we have on average) thoughts you have on a daily basis? Thinking is exhausting!

One of the most rewarding things about creativity is that it calms your mind. When you get completely absorbed in an activity, you enter into a state of flow. You’re no longer distracted by your brain and you’re at one with your body. Flow states leave you with a greater sense of clarity and lift your mood.

Creativity opens up a space for meaningful interactions  

As we get older, meaningful interactions get fewer and far between. You may chat with your coworkers at work, but conversations can be rushed or superficial. 

Creativity, especially creative workshops, allow you to slow down and engage with people on a deeper level. You learn a skill together. You bond over the experience and find yourself having deep conversations with your neighbour. You get to meet new people too!

Creativity is a playful escape  

Things get pretty serious when you’re an adult. You forget to play! Play is essential at any age. Playing helps you relax and let go of stress. It also improves brain function.

So how do you play as an adult? You create. Creativity allows you to experiment. You may be playing with clay shapes, weaving loom or painting colourful galaxies. You can leave your responsibilities behind you and have a laugh.

Creativity helps you express yourself 

One self-care technique that gets suggested a lot is journaling. This is because it helps you express yourself and release difficult thoughts and feelings. Not a journal person? Why not let out emotions in other ways?

Creative workshops give you a healthy outlet to express yourself. Many people leave a session feeling lighter than they did when they came in. Why? They expressed frustration through getting creative! 

Take time for you 

Taking a break from thinking about your responsibilities is self-care 101, but it’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day to-do list and think, “Maybe later.”

Booking in a creative workshop forces you to make time. You stop doing what you’re doing, put down the phone and nourish yourself. The break from your routine will do you a world of good. 

It’s time to prioritise self-care. Check out our weekly workshops!