"When I get to heaven I mean to spend a considerable portion of my first million years in painting," wrote Winston Churchill in 1922. We have no idea how that project is going for the late British statesman, but we do know what he meant: Artistic creativity is a divine pursuit, and one of the great secrets to happiness. I have believed this axiom from earliest childhood, thanks to afternoon hours blissfully spent painting with my mother (who was an artist)."
"As a social scientist, I also have the evidence that creative pursuits are one of the best ways to boost well-being. Experiments find, for example, that expressive writing can raise life satisfaction, and painting may lower symptoms of depression and anxiety. Nearly half of Americans say that they use creativity to relieve stress. Given the solid research linking creativity and happiness, it stands to reason that advice for becoming more creative might function well as general guidance for well-being."
Artistic creativity provides a major source of happiness and can be a divine pursuit. Early engagement with painting and music often fosters lifelong creative habits. Experimental research links creative pursuits to higher life satisfaction, reduced depression and anxiety symptoms, and stress relief; nearly half of Americans use creativity to relieve stress. Therefore, guidance on increasing creativity can serve as general well‑being advice. Prolific author James Patterson exemplifies sustained creative output, having published more than 200 books, sold over 425 million copies, and holding the Guinness World Record for most No. 1 New York Times best sellers (67).
Read at The Atlantic
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