If you have a creative hobby, did you know that it can actually play a role in reducing your insomnia? It’s true! For those who love to paint canvases, write stories, make music, or simply doodle to their heart’s content, you might be surprised to find out that these creative hobbies can reduce your likelihood of insomnia. While some people say insomnia merely contributes to creativity, we’re going to explore how your hobbies can actually help you sleep better.
In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of having creative hobbies, what research says about creativity and sleep quality, and some of the best hobbies to try if you’re looking to improve your sleep. We’ll also take a look at some tips to incorporate your creativity into your daily routine with ease. Ready to dive in? Let’s first look at why creative activities benefit us so much.
Exploring the Therapeutic Benefits of Creative Hobbies
For those who love writing, painting, singing, or any other creative activities, you likely know that feeling that you get when you’re deep in a project. You tend to get lost in the work, and you may even feel less stressed. That’s because creative hobbies actually can contribute to lessened stress over time, especially if you engage in drawing, knitting, playing music, and writing.
When engaging in creative ventures, you might also experience what is known as the “flow experience.” The flow experience can act as a form of meditation, especially for those who are interested in music and writing. When you enter the flow experience, you’ll become absorbed in your task and truly allow yourself to enter a heightened phase of creativity that can lead to breakthroughs. More importantly, this also enhances your overall well-being and health (Source: APA PsychNet).
Not to mention, one of the great benefits of engaging in something creative as a hobby is that you feel a sense of accomplishment. Contributing your efforts to artistic projects that are celebrated or even just individually cherished can make you feel good. This sense of pride and joy you feel each time you engage in your hobby cannot be overstated, and it’s one of the many reasons people see value in creative hobbies.
In current research studies, scientists have even connected creativity to better sleep to show that these hobbies help us in more ways than one!
What Research Says About Creativity and Better Sleep
Experts in sleep health and creativity all agree that people who engage in their creative interests experience better sleep. For middle-aged and older individuals who like creative pursuits and make them a part of their daily routine, it can even help them adapt to later life and the unique challenges that come with this era of their lives (Source: The International Journal of Aging and Human Development).
However, if we focus solely on sleep, plenty of studies show that spending a few minutes a day on our favorite activities is beneficial. For instance, one team of researchers looked at leisure time activities and non-work activities and found that people experienced higher levels of activity in creative pursuits and significantly better sleep than those who engaged in less creative activities.
One creative hobby, creating mandalas, has been shown to help reduce insomnia. This form of art therapy is one that you might not have tried, but it can help you if you struggle with sleep from time to time! Even guided imagery therapy amongst the elderly has been shown to help reduce insomnia and encourage better sleep. This might not be a direct engagement in something creative, but it still enables the brain to think abstractly and daydream a little before sleep.
What Creative Hobbies Are Best to Try?
With so much research showing how creative activities can benefit our sleep and reduce insomnia, you might wonder what the best hobbies to try are. Fortunately, there are so many you can try that might fit your interests and encourage better rest:
- Arts and Crafts: Hobbies like painting, drawing, coloring, knitting, and crocheting are excellent places to start for those who are interested in creating beautiful works of art. Best of all, these allow you to work with your hands, which can engage your mind and body and will enable you to enter a flow state.
- Music and Dance: For those who like to dance and move, try your hand at a musical instrument, sing, or dance around the house. It’s not only a great way to relax, but studies show that it can reduce insomnia and help you sleep better—especially if you listen to classical music.
- Writing and Journaling: Enjoy getting your thoughts on paper? Try writing or journaling before bed or right away in the morning. Write some poetry, craft a story, or simply share your thoughts. If anything, it’ll help you recognize what stresses you out, and it can be a healthy way to cope with life’s challenges.
- Gardening: For those with a green thumb, gardening is a creative venture you might not have considered. You can design your own flower beds and landscapes or simply just enjoy weeding and being outside in the great outdoors. Not to mention, all that extra sun exposure can help you regulate your circadian rhythm for better rest.
If you’re worried about finding time for some of these activities, start with just a few minutes daily. Even if it is just five minutes in the morning or evening, you can cultivate a healthy routine for yourself. Make sure you’re in a relaxing environment and stay consistent so you can see how your new hobby affects your rest!
Incorporate a Creative Hobby in Your Routine to Reduce Insomnia
Now that you know the power of creativity in reducing your insomnia, you can take steps to enjoy quality rest every single night. We hope that this article taught you something new! What hobby will you try to promote improved rest and recovery overnight?
