Someone once told me creation is healing.

In this crazy-busy world, no kidding.

So here’s four ways that creativity can help you save your sanity

(1.) Creativity offers a break from reality.

I’ve been told meditation is a healthy and good thing to practice. I’m not great at it – and I do think it’s great to practice – however, taking a few minutes out of your day to create something – writing, music, art, whatever your medium – can be the refresher you need to cope with all the crazy-busy going on around you.

Creativity is a an escape from reality. Creativity calms me down. Once I’ve had a few minutes to write or play music, I’m fine—okay, maybe a bit disappointed because it’s so fun to have time in your own world to make something—but that time away from the day-to-day is often all I need. I promise myself that I can get back to it later.

(2.) Creativity teaches you how to look at things in a different way. If you’ve got a problem, instead of getting frustrated if traditional ways to solve the problem don’t work, thinking of non-traditional ways might offer solutions.

(3.) Creativity teaches compassion. Creative arts teach us how to be more aware. That awareness can help teach us to be more sensitive to others’ situations and, as a result, more compassionate.

(4.) Creativity teaches discipline. Full-throttle, it-ain’t-over-till-it’s-over, in-it-to-the-end for art. A book, a song, a painting….whatever the medium, it’s a full-blown magical masterpiece that takes time, love and dedication. In Stephen Sondheim’s words, “every minor detail is a major decision”. Addiction? Maybe. Cursing yourself if you change your mind about one word, one phrase, one note? Maybe. Excited to get back to reality for a break from creation? Maybe. It’s a balancing act. Yin to the yang. But working on something every day means you get to watch yourself progress on a project.

So the next time you have a moment of I-can’t-even or I’m-going-to-lose-it, force yourself to take some time to create.