Stress and Anxiety: The Hidden Enemies of Creativity

Stress and anxiety are fraudulent intruding relatives at the entrance of one’s mind and are known to wreak havoc on people’s creativity. Once caught up in these emotions, a man or a woman may find his or her innovative thinking blocked altogether, may find himself or herself hindered in problem-solving, and ultimately may find the quality of work diminished.

Effects of Stress and Anxiety on Creativity

• Reduced Cognitive Function: Stress and anxiety impair such cognitive functions as attention and memory and interfere with decision-making, all three of which may hinder the generation of new ideas and focus on creative tasks.
• Emotional Blockage: The fog created by negative emotions and the resulting soulless void may cover the access path to creative possibilities.
• Fear of Failing: Most stress and anxiety elevate the fear of failing, making most reluctant to risk taking new ideas or testing them in practice.
• Overthinking and Perfectionism: These tendencies may be judged as paralysis in the creative process whereby people obsess too much over their details and avoid mistakes.

Overcoming the Effects of Stress and Anxiety

Here are some of the techniques that can be practiced to allow one to tap into his creativity while caught up in stress and even anxiety:

• Mindfulness and Meditation: Such practices calm the mind and alleviate stress, which positively impacts focusing.
• Time Management: Efficient time management reduces stress and allows more time for creativity.
• Healthy Living:  Place emphasis on sleep, nutrition, and exercise in order to enhance overall well-being and cognitive function.
• Creative Outlets: Take part in some activities that can motivate you- painting, writing, or just playing a musical instrument.
• Positive Self-Talk: Replace negative self-talk by positive affirmations to gain a boost in confidence and motivation.