Jessica Hughes | Source | Jess Hughes Media

From Forbes Women:

“As working women, we all balance career and personal life and if last year taught us anything, it was the importance of self-care and it’s direct correlation to work performance,” says creativity expert and abstract expressionist artist Jessica Hughes.

“The conscious mind is not as dominant when making art, so the subconscious mind is given more freedom to express itself,” Jessica explains. “It can develop greater self awareness, provide relief from stress, boost self-confidence, and provide a sense of play and freedom for the participant. It provides an alternative way to communicate and explore facets of our personality in greater depth.”

Practicing this kind of experimentation, she says, also helps us develop our creativity. “There are very few outlets in our world where we can experiment in a safe space with no “right or wrong way” to explore. Art is the perfect medium for that,” she explains. “Anytime we give ourselves permission to experience awe and delight, to play like a child, to be curious and experiment, we can walk away feeling relaxed and fulfilled.”

Given the obvious benefits, it’s a wonder more people don’t engage with these practices but fear, Jessica says, often becomes a huge barrier—particularly for those whose creativity was ignored, constrained or not prioritized when they were younger.

“In our culture, society teaches us to be keenly aware of our limitations; any sense of creative resiliency tends to be taught right out of us when we are constantly told the right and wrong way to do things. Actively creating art within a judgement free zone helps us experiment and problem solve freely, to discover new ways of doing things with no right or wrong solution.”

Essentially, Jessica explains, engaging in artistic activities shouldn’t only be for those we deem as highly skilled or talented. In fact, studies show that artists and non-artists alike who engage in these activities experience the same drop in cortisol levels, regardless of experience or talent.

If you still find it difficult to engage with this kind of activity without feeling guilt for ‘slacking,’ think of it as a chance to hone a skill that is becoming increasingly vital at work, too.

“Technology is speeding up the pace of our world and reshaping everything on a massive scale. CEO’s and entrepreneurs need intense creative leadership skills to inspire workers to be productive and innovative. The most inspirational creative leaders will nurture atmospheres that are safe for experimentation—to try out different solutions to problems even if they may not work.”