The phrase ‘self care’ is thrown around like a frisbee on a hot summer’s day. From Instagram quotes to workplace wellbeing plans, it’s often presented as something we should be doing, another task to tick off a list. But real self care isn’t performative. It’s not about getting it ‘right’.. It’s about checking in with what we truly need and offering ourselves the time and space to respond with compassion.
And one often-overlooked but deeply nourishing route into self care? Creativity.
From scribbling down thoughts in a journal to making something with your hands, creative practices can offer a really interesting way to regulate emotions, process experiences, and reconnect with ourselves on a deeper level.
As International Self Care Day approaches on 24th July… let’s look a bit deeper into why self care isn’t always a bubble bath!
Why creativity belongs in your self care toolkit
Creative self care can look like many things; there’s no single right way to do it. What matters is that it feels good FOR YOU. It might be an afternoon spent baking, knitting, painting, or moving your body to music. Or it could be a quiet 10 minutes in a notebook, a collage made from old magazines, or a little moment of mindful colouring between Zoom calls.
What all of these have in common is that they gently nudge us away from external distractions and back into our own internal rhythm.
Here are some snazzy stats to back up what I know in my heart about creativity:
🎨Lower levels of anxiety and depression. A 2021 study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that engaging in arts and crafts significantly lowered stress hormones and improved mood, even after just 45 minutes of creative activity.
🎨Improved cognitive function and memory. Creative engagement supports brain health and can boost a sense of purpose.
🎨Enhanced emotional resilience. Creative expression helps us process emotions in a non-verbal way, making it easier to regulate and move through difficult feelings.
And perhaps most importantly, it can feel soothing. In a world that often expects us to be constantly ‘on’, creativity gives us permission to slow down, explore, and simply be.
One of the most beautiful things about creativity as self care is that it isn’t about performance. It’s not about whether the painting looks good or the writing makes sense. It’s about what happens inside us when we allow ourselves to get curious, to make a mess, and to express ourselves without judgement. Creativity can be such a nourishing form of self care because there’s no pressure to produce something that’s impressive or sharable. The value lies in the doing.
The type of activities we do when we’re feeling creative often lead us into a state of flow (this is anything that is so engrossing that you lose track of time!). This can calm the nervous system and quiet your mind.
And in today’s world of constant overwhelming news, how many of us feel like so much is out of our control?? In creative practice, you are in charge. That sense of control can feel very empowering when the rest of the world feels like it’s on fire!
Self care isn’t a luxury. It’s a foundational need - one that supports our mental, emotional, and physical health in sustainable ways. Yet, many of us struggle to make time for it or feel guilty when we do.
The truth is, looking after ourselves allows us to move through the world with more capacity, more clarity, and more kindness. When we give ourselves the time and permission to rest, create, and reflect, we strengthen our resilience. We’re better able to handle what life throws our way and we’re more likely to notice when we’re reaching our limits before burnout hits.
A creative invitation for International Self Care Day
International Self Care Day takes place each year on 24th July, offering a collective moment to pause and reflect. It’s a gentle invitation to consider: how am I really doing? and what would feel nourishing right now?
I would love to encourage you to mark the day with a creative act of care - just for you.
It doesn’t need to be anything fancy. You could try:
🎨Starting a “messy” art journal (no rules, no goals - just colour and emotion)
🎨Writing a letter to your future self
🎨Creating a playlist that reflects how you feel today
🎨Find a piece of fabric you love and sew something simple.
Let it be playful, imperfect, and entirely yours.
Remember, self care isn’t selfish. And creativity isn’t frivolous. Together, they make up a powerful and healing part of our daily lives - helping us process, rest, and return to ourselves.
I invite you to get curious. What might you create, just for you? What could your self care look like if it felt like a joyful act of rebellion, rather than another thing on your to-do list?
For those interested in exploring this further, I offer workplace wellbeing sessions thatcor incorporate mindfulness practices. Get in touch or check out my brochure for more information. You can find more info here. I'd love to chat!
Thanks so much for reading,
Eden