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just for enjoyment such as jigsaw puzzles and board games. Other activities are specifically creative such as dance-off videos. They all represent small but important moments of creativity. People have taken up painting, dancing, singing, baking, learning how to play musical instruments, taking up fitness challenges etc. During these months of isolation and quarantine, many of us have surprised ourselves with our newfound skills. Technology is being used like never before to connect to our friends and relatives. This higher level of creativity we see in quarantine times is absolutely vital. After all, dealing with the pandemic does not only mean taking care of one’s physical health, but mental health too and engaging in a creative activity can lead to a positive state of mind.
Creativity helps us feel better. It can be anything- painting, cooking, singing, dancing, knitting, playing, etc. Any creative act, leads to the production of dopamine, the feel-good chemical, in the brain and that in turn gives a sense of happiness, and accomplishment. Besides helping keep negative thoughts away, creativity helps focus the mind and
it has also been compared to meditation as it helps in calming the brain. Even just gardening or cleaning one`s house can be very calming and therapeutic.
The examples of everyday imagination we are seeing may not be creative-with-a-capital-C. Clever family photos or meme creations or amateur photography and craftwork may, indeed, not be the Mona Lisa of our time. It is important, however, to not let such a comparison diminish their value. One does not have to be working for a cure or entertaining millions for one`s ideas to have value for oneself, friends or the larger community. Creative activities can help reduce stress, handle trauma and improve the mood, all of which are particularly helpful at the current moment.
So, let us take up the one thing that interests us or motivates us, that one thing that we could never find the time to do. Let us challenge ourselves. Let us be creative in ways that surprise us and make us happy at least once a day. When we emerge from this pandemic, we will be equipped with the new ways of doing things to deal with the new normal and that will be our silver lining.
Sambrita Som
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