Creativity in action

A Passion for Doodling and Art

Much of their free time is spent doodling. As a journalist on NPR's science desk during the day, the time in between is devoted to art — specifically, cartooning. Drawing between tasks, sketching at the coffee shop before work, and completing a zine (a small magazine) during a 20-minute bus commute are regular practices. These activities are enjoyable and entertaining, but there seems to be a deeper purpose. Creating art appears to clear the mind, help process emotions, and bring a sense of calm and relaxation.

The Curiosity Behind Creativity

This phenomenon raises questions about what happens in the brain during the act of drawing. Why does it feel so rewarding? And how can others, even those who don't identify as artists, be encouraged to embrace creativity? Research reveals that making art has profound effects on both the mind and body.

Creativity and Connection

Christianne Strang, a neuroscience professor at the University of Alabama Birmingham and former president of the American Art Therapy Association, highlights the significance of creativity for health and emotional connection. Engaging in creative expression, whether through drawing, painting, collaging, sculpting, or other artistic endeavors, fosters well-being.

Girija Kaimal, a professor at Drexel University and art therapy researcher, underscores that creativity benefits everyone, regardless of skill level. Kaimal leads art therapy sessions for military personnel with traumatic brain injuries and caregivers of cancer patients, emphasizing that artistic expression is accessible to all.

Art as a Tool for Hope

Kaimal proposes that art has served an evolutionary purpose since the days of cave-dwellers. Art-making may help navigate potential future challenges by engaging the brain’s predictive capabilities. Decisions made during the creative process — selecting tools, colors, and interpreting images — activate this predictive function.

An example from Kaimal's practice illustrates this idea. A depressed student who initially colored a sheet of paper black later added pink clay flowers, symbolizing spring and hope. Through art, the student envisioned possibilities beyond their current despair, demonstrating how imagination can be an act of survival.

Activating the Brain’s Reward Center

Creating art activates the brain’s reward center, even for those who fear their artistic abilities. A 2017 study published in The Arts in Psychotherapy showed that activities like doodling, coloring, and free drawing increased blood flow to the medial prefrontal cortex, responsible for feelings of reward and pleasure. This suggests that art-making can be therapeutic for those with conditions affecting reward pathways, such as mood disorders or addictions.

Reducing Stress Through Art

Art-making also reduces stress and anxiety. A 2016 study in the Journal of the American Art Therapy Association found that 45 minutes of art creation significantly lowered cortisol levels, a hormone related to stress. The benefits applied to participants regardless of artistic experience, demonstrating that anyone can enjoy the calming effects of creative expression.

Achieving Flow Through Creativity

Art fosters a state of “flow,” where individuals are deeply focused and lose track of time. This state, characterized by increased theta wave activity and moderate alpha wave activity in the brain, induces relaxation, heightened attention, and pleasure. Research in Frontiers in Psychology highlights the profound cognitive and emotional benefits of reaching this flow state through creative endeavors.