Can stress really boost creativity?
Understanding the relationship between stress and creativity is essential to maximize the use of its potential benefits and, at the same time, avoid burnout.
While short-term stress can be beneficial and help mobilize our bodies, constant stress seems overwhelming to me. However, I have noticed that when I am stressed and have limited resources, I am much better focused on the problem and can come up with new solutions and unexpected ideas.
Ever since I was a kid, whenever I got sick, I have always started to create something, feeling free to do creative experiments. I drew, made little brooches out of plasticine, and created mosaics and collages — whatever I could think of.
And now, when I’m doing creative projects, I notice that when I have a tight deadline to accomplish, I meet technical difficulties, or something goes wrong in my life, I start to look at familiar things from a different perspective, and I somehow manage to find new ways to solve problems.
When experiencing stress and pressure, when things become uncertain, and it is impossible to use ready-made solutions, I have found that it inspires me to experiment more and find new solutions.
And this has become my personal experience: when I am in a difficult situation, my brain seems to turn on its full potential, generating original and often innovative ideas that can change my life.
Because if we’re comfortable, we don’t have as much motivation, we can do things slowly, postpone personal projects, take our time, and do only what is necessary to maintain our employment. But when the realization of tasks becomes more complex, our capabilities are truly revealed.
So, stress can increase our creativity and ability to think outside the box and find unexpected solutions. At the same time, if you are stressed for a long time, you will not have enough energy to realize even the most brilliant ideas. Although stress can contribute to the development of creative abilities and the birth of original concepts, in order to be able to realize them, you need to take care of yourself, paying attention to your health and well-being.
