{"id":24791,"date":"2026-05-27T12:22:13","date_gmt":"2026-05-27T11:22:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.city-academy.com\/news\/?p=24791"},"modified":"2026-05-27T12:24:27","modified_gmt":"2026-05-27T11:24:27","slug":"why-creativity-is-good-for-you-4-ways-the-arts-support-wellbeing-and-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.city-academy.com\/news\/why-creativity-is-good-for-you-4-ways-the-arts-support-wellbeing-and-health\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Creativity Is Good for You: 4 Ways the Arts Support Wellbeing and Health"},"content":{"rendered":"
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We often think about health in familiar ways: eating well, exercising, sleeping properly, and staying socially connected. But growing research suggests there may be another important ingredient in wellbeing – creativity.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Professor Daisy Fancourt, one of the world\u2019s leading researchers in arts and health at University College London, describes the arts as emerging evidence for a kind of \u201cfifth pillar of health\u201d. In her latest book, The Art Cure<\/em><\/a><\/span>, she brings together hundreds of peer-reviewed studies showing how creative activities can support both mental and physical wellbeing.<\/p>\n

The important thing? You do not need to be a professional artist to benefit. Singing in a choir,<\/a><\/span> joining a dance class<\/a><\/span>, acting<\/a><\/span>, painting<\/span><\/a>, crafts<\/a><\/span>, photography<\/a><\/span>, or creative writing<\/a><\/span> can all positively affect health. Research shows that participation itself matters most.<\/p>\n

Here are four evidence-backed ways the arts can support wellbeing.<\/p>\n


#1 Reduce Stress (Without Trying Too Hard)- <\/strong>Switch off your mind by switching on your creativity<\/span><\/i><\/h4>\n

Creative activities help absorb attention so fully that worries temporarily fade into the background. Psychologists often describe this as a \u201cflow state\u201d – a feeling of focused immersion that naturally lowers stress.<\/span><\/p>\n

Fancourt\u2019s research highlights studies showing that arts participation can reduce cortisol, one of the body\u2019s main stress hormones. One widely cited study found that just 45 minutes of creative art-making significantly lowered cortisol levels regardless of artistic ability.<\/span><\/p>\n

Music-making can be especially powerful. Group singing<\/span><\/a><\/span>, for example, combines breathing, focus, and social connection, all of which support emotional regulation. Community singing<\/a><\/span> programmes for people living with chronic pain have also been linked to improved coping and reduced feelings of isolation.<\/span><\/p>\n

Unlike some wellbeing practices that can feel like hard work, creativity often reduces stress simply because it is enjoyable.<\/span><\/p>\n


#2 Express What You Can\u2019t Say – <\/strong>Some things are easier to show than to tell<\/span><\/i><\/h4>\n

Not every emotion is easy to explain. Creative expression offers another route.<\/p>\n

Through dance<\/a><\/span>, singing<\/a><\/span>, theatre<\/a><\/span>, painting<\/a><\/span>, or writing<\/a><\/span>, people can explore emotions safely and indirectly. Research highlighted in Art Cure<\/em> found that arts engagement supports emotional regulation and psychological processing, with studies involving more than 47,000 participants linking regular creative activity to improved mental wellbeing and emotional expression.<\/p>\n

There are powerful examples in healthcare settings too. Music programmes<\/a><\/span> for people living with dementia have shown how familiar songs can unlock emotional responses and social connection even when verbal communication becomes difficult.<\/p>\n

Drama and movement-based<\/a><\/span> activities can also help build confidence and empathy. Creative spaces often feel freeing because there is rarely one \u201ccorrect\u201d answer – experimentation and self-expression are encouraged.<\/p>\n


#3 Boost Your Mood (Quickly) – Creativity is a natural mood-lifter<\/i>
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Many people notice they feel lighter after a choir rehearsal, dance class, or creative workshop – and research suggests there is a good reason for that.<\/p>\n

Enjoyable creative activities stimulate the brain\u2019s reward systems and are consistently linked with improved mood and reduced anxiety.<\/p>\n

In The Art Cure<\/em>, Fancourt discusses research showing that regular cultural engagement<\/a><\/span> is linked to a 4% slower rate of biological ageing, with participants showing stronger emotional and mental wellbeing over time.<\/p>\n

One particularly well-known study involving new mothers experiencing postnatal depression found that those taking part in group singing sessions<\/a><\/span> experienced faster improvements in symptoms compared with some other community activities.<\/p>\n

Creative hobbies also bring a sense of achievement. Finishing a sketch, learning a song, or performing a scene can provide a satisfying sense of progress that is often missing from screen-heavy modern life.<\/p>\n

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#4 <\/strong>Develop Resilience Through Play – <\/strong><\/span>It\u2019s okay to get it wrong here<\/span><\/i><\/h4>\n

Creative environments encourage experimentation rather than perfection.<\/p>\n

In art, mistakes are part of the process. A painting can change direction. An improvisation can fail and recover. A dance routine can be adapted. This flexibility helps people become more comfortable with uncertainty and setbacks.<\/p>\n

Fancourt\u2019s research suggests arts participation can strengthen confidence, adaptability, and coping skills over time.<\/p>\n

Participatory theatre<\/a><\/span> and community arts programmes are increasingly used to help people build resilience, communication skills, and social confidence in supportive environments.<\/p>\n

Perhaps most importantly, creativity reminds adults of something we often forget: play matters<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

You do not need to sing beautifully, dance perfectly, or paint professionally to experience the wellbeing benefits of creativity.<\/p>\n

The positive effects begin with taking part.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Explore Creative Courses Here<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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  • Daisy Fancourt, The Art Cure: A Guide to Improving Your Health with the Arts<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • World Health Organisation report on arts and health (2019)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Kaimal, G. et al. (2016). Reduction of Cortisol Levels Following Art Making<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Research on group singing and postnatal depression by Daisy Fancourt and colleagues<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    We often think about health in familiar ways: eating well, exercising, sleeping properly, and staying socially connected. 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