Boosting Wellness: The Daily Habit of Learning New Skills and Creativity

Published on Wednesday, December 20, 2023 by Deanna Salles-Freeman

Discover the Daily Joy of Skill Development

Engaging in a daily routine centered around skill development and creativity offers many wellness benefits that extend far beyond personal growth and artistic expression. It is a place where the journey often eclipses the destination. There are small victories woven into the fabric of daily progress. The process becomes something cherished, even a way of self-care. Let's explore how these practices contribute to overall well-being:

Benefits Beyond: Exploring the Wellness Impact

Stress Reduction & Relaxation: Pursuing creative activities, such as doodling, crafting, or playing a musical instrument, is a form of mindfulness. Daily engaging in these activities can induce relaxation, akin to meditation. This engagement helps lower stress levels, reduce anxiety, and promote a sense of calmness by redirecting focus from daily worries to the present moment.

Enhanced Cognitive Function: Consistently challenging your mind through skill development, like learning a new language or practicing a musical instrument, stimulates cognitive function. Research suggests that such activities strengthen neural connections, improve memory, and boost overall brain health, potentially reducing the risk of cognitive decline as one ages.

The universe buries strange jewels deep within us all and stands back to see if we can find them.

~Elizabeth Gilbert, Big Magic

Mood Improvement & Emotional Wellbeing: The act of creating, whether through art, music, or culinary ventures, triggers the release of endorphins—natural mood-boosting chemicals. Regular engagement in these creative pursuits can elevate mood, foster a sense of accomplishment, and help alleviate feelings of depression or negativity.

Physical Wellbeing through Movement: Certain creative endeavors, such as gardening or dance, involve physical movement. Daily activities contribute to physical wellness by promoting mobility, flexibility, and cardiovascular health. Regular movement also aids in stress reduction and improves overall fitness levels.

Sense of Purpose & Fulfillment: Pursuing skill development and creativity nurtures a sense of purpose and fulfillment. Each day becomes an opportunity for growth and expression, instilling a deeper meaning in life. Having a passion to pursue or a skill to master contributes significantly to overall satisfaction and well-being.

The Practical Realm: Daily Activities for Wellness

Let’s dive into the practical realm of discovering the daily joy of skill development and creativity through various engaging activities. I have included some of my personal favorites!

Mindful Doodling: Mindful doodling is an exquisite gateway to relaxation and creative expression. It’s my favorite right now and part of my daily evening ritual. This practice involves letting your pen wander aimlessly on paper, allowing shapes and patterns to emerge organically. By incorporating this into your daily routine, even for a few minutes, you tap into a reservoir of creativity while experiencing a calming effect on your mind. Super Doodle Girl has some great online courses.

Learning a New Language: Immersing yourself in the daily pursuit of learning a new language offers many benefits. Apps, online courses, or language textbooks provide structured lessons that can be integrated into your routine. Spending even a short time each day practicing vocabulary, grammar, or conversation skills enhances linguistic abilities, nurtures cognitive functions, and opens doors to new cultures and perspectives.

Crocheting or Knitting: The rhythmic motion of crocheting or knitting produces beautiful handmade creations and serves as a meditative practice. Engaging in these crafts daily can be both a creative outlet and a stress-relieving activity. Whether it's crafting scarves, hats, or intricate patterns, the repetitive motions can be incredibly soothing while allowing your creativity to flourish. Get started with a simple kit from The Woobles that includes all supplies and video instructions.

A Few More: Explore culinary arts and experiment with new recipes. How about learning a new instrument or picking one you used to play? Venture into the world of photography. We all have cameras in our hands. Gardening will allow you to nurture plants with many options, including indoor systems.

Enrich Your Life: Embracing Wellness Through Daily Joy

Incorporating these practical examples into a daily routine fosters skill development and creativity and infuses each day with moments of joy, relaxation, and personal growth. Embrace these activities as invitations to explore the depths of your imagination while nurturing skills that bring fulfillment and enrichment to your life with the bonus of boosting wellness.

I see you, and YOU are beautiful!

_{Khalil, R., Godde, B., & Karim, A. A. (2019). The Link Between Creativity, Cognition, and Creative Drives and Underlying Neural Mechanisms. Frontiers in Neural Circuits, 13(18). https://doi.org/10.3389/fncir.2019.00018}
_{Psychreg, & Tobin, D. (2022, July 9). Mental Health Benefits When You Learn Something New. Psychreg. https://www.psychreg.org/mental-health-benefits-when-you-learn-something-new/}
_{Tan, C.-Y., Chuah, C.-Q., Lee, S.-T., & Tan, C.-S. (2021). Being Creative Makes You Happier: The Positive Effect of Creativity on Subjective Well-Being. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(14), 7244. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18147244}