Calming the Nervous System through Creativity

I woke up in a panic the other night with one thought raging throughout my head.

The nervous system! It’s really all about the nervous system!

I write a surprising (to me, at least) amount about neuroscience on this here blog about creativity. But, what I actually love most about neuroscience right now is that it’s helping us understand the nervous system better. And what helps calm the nervous system more than just about anything, including meditation and breathing?

Yup, being in flow. And what helps us get into flow? Yeppers. Creativity.

What I mean by the nervous system

Dogs need calming labyrinths, too.

The nervous system affects everything: heart rate, mood, breathing. Even bodily functions. (See: ‘I was so scared, I peed my pants.’)

And everything we do affects the nervous system: what we eat, how we breathe, what exercise we’re doing, how stressed we are, what uncomfortable position we’re sitting in, who we’re talking to, our memories, our thoughts and intentions, this f&@$ing bug currently buzzing my ear. Everything.

So when I say that creativity calms the nervous system, I also mean to say anything can potentially calm the nervous system (except mosquitoes; fuck those guys). And by calming the nervous system, I mean, turn on the ‘rest and digest’ parasympathetic side. (And I do mean anything. True story: according to my Fitbit, a productive, measured argument lowers my heart rate as much as laying back in my gravity chair and watching clouds swirl overhead.)

Creativity vs meditation or breathing

There’s no research out yet comparing this (as far as I know), but what I like about creative pursuits more than meditation or breathing (and I do love me some meditation and breathing) is that creativity is … accidental isn’t the right word exactly. Mind-less definitely isn’t it. But meditation and breathing are like staring the parasympathetic nervous system straight in the eyes and daring it: ‘Calm, dammit! Right now! Now now now!’ While creativity is more like dropping a hankie in its general direction coquettishly: ‘I’m just gonna be doodling or playing air guitar over here, if you don’t mind and … Sure, I’d love to go on a date together!’

A healthier nervous system is an accidental byproduct of creativity, whereas it’s the focused goal of meditation or deep breathing. All of these are important, but creativity could use more research love in this regard. Already physicians are starting to prescribe djembe drumming for stress or heart issues, but think of the possibilities. Students could be encouraged to doodle during lectures. Playing board games would be required in the DMV waiting room. Calligraphy for ulcer patients.

And, of course, blog posts for writer/creativity teachers who wake up in a panic.