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.
Dalkeith Arts offers adults in Midlothian the opportunity to learn, take part and create. It has an annual exhibition and a thriving online community via its Facebook page.
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.
Health in Mind‘s Art Psychotherapy and group support services gives people the opportunity to work with their mental, emotional and physical wellbeing using art materials alongside talking.
Midlothian Young People’s Advice Service (MYPAS) run an art therapy course for young people in Midlothian.
One Dalkeith aims to enhance local arts, culture and heritage with its virtual art programme and its history projects.
Penicuik Arts Association is committed to bringing the community and art closer together, from the local community and from further afield, and to continue to provide a space affordably for artists to sharing and develop their artistic talents.
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 email them to midspace@health-in-mind.org.uk or share them on Twitter #Midspace.
Our Midspace volunteer keeps well by painting at home and with her art group. Check out her beautiful watercolour painting.