Creative health in 5: include creative self-expression in your health regime
Posted: 1.6.26
Hello!
My name is Faith and I am the new Creative Health Connector at Trafford Carers. Sounds fancy but in short; I will be connecting our older carers with creative and cultural activities and encouraging the organisations that offer these activities to deliver a carer-friendly approach.
So why has this come about? Well, it turns out that engaging with arts and culture has huge health benefits and we want carers to reap the rewards. Let’s break down what creative health is because it is so much more than you might initially think.
1. Creative health is more than just arts and crafts
The thing with artistic self-expression is that there is no right or wrong way to do it and there are so many avenues to explore –gardening, dancing, singing, storytelling, museums - the list goes on! Fancy giving it a go? I’m your person.
2. Creativity helps reduce loneliness and isolation
Creative activities open the floor to building new connections over a shared interest or passion. It is well-known that a person with caring responsibilities is more likely to be affected by feelings of loneliness, low self-confidence and low self-esteem. No carer deserves to feel like this so, let’s do something about it.
3. Creative health supports brain health and healthy ageing
Research has found that weekly arts engagement is linked to a 4% slower pace of biological ageing. Activities such as learning songs or creative writing, for example, encourage your brain to adapt and form new connections. The scientists call this ‘neuroplasticity’.
4. Small creative opportunities can make a big difference
Starting a new endeavour can feel daunting but no one is expecting you to be the next Picasso or Mozart. Be creative for you and on your own terms. Creative health is about reaching achievable goals that work for you around your caring responsibilities.
5. Carers need wellbeing support too
There is no medical fix for a lot of the health-related problems faced by those with caring responsibilities, so that is where I am trying to fill in the gaps. As we all know, caring for loved ones can take up all your focus, putting your own wellbeing needs to the back of your mind. But the pressure should not be entirely on the carers to do something about this. I urge creative and cultural organisations to be more carer-friendly, making it easier for carers to make time for their own health.
I hope this article paints a clearer picture for you (mind the pun)! If you are a carer or a creative/cultural organisation and I can help, don’t be a stranger. Remember, starting small is the key. You can contact me via: faith.parker@traffordcarerscentre.org.uk
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