Creativity as an Antidote to Anxiety
In her book Beyond Anxiety, Martha Beck explains that research shows a negative relationship between creativity and anxiety. Generally speaking, the more anxious we become, the less access we have to the creative parts of our brain.
Most of us know what that feels like—when anxiety fixates on a specific fear and won’t let go. No matter how hard we try to solve the problem, we can’t get traction. We’re stuck.
What’s fascinating is that Martha Beck noticed the reverse is also true: the more we practice creativity, the less anxious we become. She found it curious that few people seemed to be exploring this connection.
Artists often describe this beautifully. When they’re in that flow state—fully alive and present—all other worries and fears melt away. Beck suggests we can use creativity to retrain our brains, shifting from anxiety toward resilience and problem-solving (which, at its core, is creativity).
And we don’t need to be concert-level pianists to soothe our anxiety. Small acts of creativity are enough—tending the garden for ten minutes, coloring a page, building with Legos, cooking, or doodling. Any creative act helps move us from our “anxious brain” to our “creative brain.”
So here’s your challenge for the week: Focus on creativity. If you’re feeling anxious, don’t try to “solve” it—that only tightens the knot. Instead, shift your energy into a creative activity.
Chances are, you’ll find yourself moving toward a calmer, more peaceful perspective.
Happy to be in your corner,
Tom Page, LCPC
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