I consider myself to be creative. My particular passion is motorcycles and over the years, I’ve built many custom motorcycles as well as café racers. The latter originated among the rockers (remember the mods and rockers?) who frequented the Ace Café in Stonebridge in north-west London in the 1950s and 60s. I’ve visited this spiritual home of the café racer several times on a classic motorcycle, an experience I found inspirational.

It seems to me, however, that creativity is often misunderstood and only attributed to the artistic members of our family and community – fine artists, singer songwriters, actors and movie producers, graphic artists and marketing experts. The fact is that everyone possesses creativity and here’s why it’s worth exploring yours…

“According to a recent study out of New Zealand, engaging in creative activities contributes to an “upward spiral” of positive emotions, psychological well-being and feelings of “flourishing” in life”. (Huffpost.com) Interestingly, the study was not referring to those people who work in a creative field, but to those who find time to keep a journal, write poetry, sketch, paint, produce arts and crafts, try a new recipe or play the guitar or piano.

Here are some other insights into the benefits of creativity…

“One’s creative activity can be frivolous, amateurish or weird, nevertheless the creative process that yielded them appears important to positive psychological development.” (From a study led by Paul Silvia of the University of North Carolina-Greensboro. Published in Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts)

“Engaging in creative pursuits allows people to explore their identities, form new relationships, cultivate competence and reflect critically on the world. In turn the new knowledge, self-insight and relationships serve as a source of strength and resilience.” (From a study led by Paul Silvia of the University of North Carolina-Greensboro. Published in Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts)

“The link between creativity and better mental and physical health is well established by research. Creating helps make people happier, less anxious, more resilient and better equipped to problem-solve in the face of hardship.” (Amanda Enayati, A Creative Life is a Healthy Life. Published onCNN.com)

In short, it feels good to be creative!

At Evergreen Lifestyle we are privileged to see the physical and mental health benefits of creativity when our residents engage in the wide range of creative pursuits that happen in our villages: bridge, arts and crafts, painting and fine arts, interest group lectures, photography, theatre, book clubs, musical performances by residents and more!

If you’d like to know more about Evergreen Lifestyle and its approach to healthy and creative retirement living, call Sharon on 087 808 7000 and ask about our Partnership for Life promise.