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Can creativity reduce stress and promote happiness?

Most of us know it’s important to slow down a bit from time to time to avoid stress. But how do you achieve a sense of inner peace and immersion when everyday life is packed with work, leisure activities and practical chores?

Laerke Egefjord is a doctor and researcher specialising in diseases of the brain, especially dementia. She is also a teacher and lecturer - as well as a visual artist. An interest in creativity and its impact on our brains, health and nervous system therefore makes up a large part of her professional and private work and activities. In her role as ambassador for Creativ Company, Laerke Egefjord is an important part of our joint mission to spread the message about the beneficial effects and advantages of creativity when it comes to mental health.

Speech and subtitles are AI-generated.

Speech and subtitles are AI-generated.

Creativity is not a pastime - it’s brain medicine

Have you ever experienced the feeling of being so immersed in a creative project that you completely lose your sense of time and place? According to Lærke Egefjord, it is completely natural to experience this - and actually directly beneficial for our brains and well-being to get into what in psychology is called the flow, a concept that Lærke Egefjord translates into meaningful self-forgetting.

"Many people experience a sense of well-being and peace when they immerse themselves in a creative project. The brain recharges and secretes the reward hormones serotonin and dopamine, which make us feel relaxed and happy. This can be measured directly in the body, where both pulse and blood pressure drop because the parasympathetic nervous system is activated. At the same time, acetylcholine is released, which increases concentration, while the stress hormone cortisol drops," explains Lærke.

As an artist, Lærke Egefjord has a strong affinity for watercolours and calm brushstrokes, which bring a sense of peace to her mind and body. Whether you're knitting a sweater, painting or focusing on some other creative project is not important - what matters is the process of immersing yourself in the task and calmly achieving a sense of flow.

"Experiencing a sense of flow can be achieved in lots of situations, but especially in activities with repeat movements - such as handicrafts or experimenting with watercolours - which are more likely to get you into the flow. Our brain loves repetition and the rhythm of creating patterns with our hands. This relaxes the brain, heart and nervous system," says Lærke Egefjord.

“Creativity is anything but a waste of time; it is absolutely necessary for living a life in harmony and mental balance”

- Lærke Egefjord

In a busy everyday life, it may feel like there is no time to immerse yourself in creative projects or learn a new skill. Creative development must therefore be prioritised, just like physical exercise. We rarely consider running or an hour of cycling as a waste of time and we should have the same mindset when it comes to our mental well-being. Creative activities can reduce stress and make us feel more relaxed, focused and happy: Creativity is anything but a waste of time; it is absolutely necessary for living a life in harmony and mental balance, says Laerke Egefjord.

Children also need mental breaks

Children are often better than adults at playing, moving and coming up with ideas. But everyday life can also be hectic for children, which is why creative breaks are important for creating a sense of calm and promoting childrens brain development. Immersion in a creative process activates a special network in the brain called the Default Mode Network (DMN). When this network is active, connections are created between distant parts of the brain, which strengthens both our memory and ability to come up with new ideas, says Laerke Egefjord, emphasising how creativity contributes positively, whether you are a child or an adult - and why creativity is also interesting in connection with, for example, diseases such as dementia.

So how do we ensure creative immersion in everyday life, whether you are a child or an adult? The most important way to get into the flow is to feel an inner motivation or joy in what you are doing. Whether youre picking up an old hobby or throwing yourself into something new, there are plenty of positive effects to be enjoyed - and if you find something that children and adults can do together in peace and quiet, they will enjoy both a feeling of immersion and a strong sense of presence in the quality time being spent together.

Finally, Laerke Egefjord gives her best advice on how to achieve a positive effect from creative development

  • Focus on the process rather than the result, since it is in the process that brings positive health benefits.
  • Avoid distractions - focusing on an activity is essential to experiencing flow; being constantly interrupted reduces this effect.
  • Remember that creativity is important for maintaining mental balance and preventing stress and psychological imbalances, so it should be treated in the same way as a healthy diet and exercise.

Get into the flow with watercolour painting

In collaboration with Creativ Company, Laerke Egefjord has developed two watercolour sets - one for adults and one for children.

Both Creativity in a Box sets are designed with a focus on the process rather than the result. You are guided step by step through the process, the goal of which is to lose yourself in the colours and moment.

Find calm and creativity through watercolour painting

Watercolour painting is more than a creative activity – it’s a mindful way to slow down and find calm in a busy world. The gentle brushstrokes, the flowing colours and the natural rhythm of painting help your mind unwind and refocus. When we use our hands and immerse ourselves in something tactile and meaningful, it activates parts of the nervous system that reduce stress and restore balance.

At Creativ Company, we believe that creativity is a natural path to wellbeing. Our materials and ideas are designed not only to inspire beautiful results, but to encourage the process – the quiet moments where you feel the joy of creating. Together with doctor and researcher Lærke Egefjord, we want to highlight how creative activities can strengthen mental health and promote a greater sense of balance and calm.

Watercolour painting is particularly effective for reaching a state of flow – that moment when time fades away, and you’re fully present in what you’re creating. This is where true calm emerges – a calm that benefits both body and mind. Whether you’re a beginner or more experienced, with just a brush, paper and water you can explore simple watercolour techniques and create small, mindful breaks that bring relaxation, focus and joy – peaceful moments for both your hands and your thoughts.

Your online craft store

At Creativ Company, we love creativity, play and learning. We have more than 14,000 exciting craft items, which makes us one of the largest online craft stores. Find inspiration for your next craft project in our more than 4,500 free, creative ideas for both children and adults. We sell creative materials and toys to both private individuals, schools/institutions and B2B customers.

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