Pain is an interesting struggle. It can strip you of your freedom, your joy, your passions, and so much more. It can make you crawl into bed and have little desire to ever leave. Many people have no idea how they should cope with such an illness. Although it may seem daunting to take on even the smallest task or activity, creativity has been shown to help individuals cope with pain.
According to Psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, "when we are involved in (creativity), we feel that we are living more fully than during the rest of life. You know that what you need to do is possible to do, even though difficult, and sense of time disappears. You forget yourself. You feel part of something larger." Csikszentmihalyi said this during a TED talk in 2004 and it proves to be very relatable and applicable.
Here are a couple of reasons why creativity can help pain sufferers cope with everyday life.
Creativity is a form of expression: We all have the ability to express ourselves through creative means. Sometimes, it is just about finding what we are each passionate about. Expression through creativity can be especially beneficial for someone in pain. If you aren’t sure where your creative energy lies, try a few different activities and find out which you enjoy.
One optionyou could try is painting. Close your eyes and let the creativity flow out of you and onto the canvas. Not a painter? No problem! Writing is another great way to express your thoughts and feelings. Document what you are going through or journal about your dreams, passions, and goals. If writing comes naturally to you, consider writing a book about your story or launching a weekly blog online. Sculpting, taking photos, and other forms of creativity can help you express what you may not even know you felt.
Creativity can occupy and provide a sense of accomplishment: Not only can you use your creative skills as a way to express yourself, but also as a way to occupy your time and provide you with a sense of accomplishment. Choose to do something that you love and can really throw yourself into. Pick a project that requires your attention and is time consuming. Take breaks as needed and challenge yourself to try new things. Not only will your days likely fly by, but you may also feel accomplished when you finish each project.
Recovia is a functional flex-care program that aims to maximize recovery for individuals suffering from chronic pain, injury, or dependency. The mission is to provide a compassionate, comprehensive, cost effective, and individualized functional rehabilitation program. For more information, please contact us at 480-712-4600 or visit our information page.
The advice and information provided herein is for educational purposes only and should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites.
