Maybe you’ve heard this before –or maybe you’re reading it here for the very first time:

Our brain needs creativity.

Without it, it becomes harder for the brain to grow, form new connections and learn new things. Creativity is not a nice extra – it plays an essential role in our mental and emotional health.

I learned why this is the case some time ago while reading a very inspiring book:

📖 The Good Habits Method.

While reading it – especially the part about BDNF – many things suddenly made sense to me. Things I had intuitively felt for a long time. The book gave me the neurobiological explanation for why creative activity has such a direct and powerful effect on our nervous system.

A few days later, this knowledge showed up very practically in my everyday life.

My laptop suddenly crashed – not just for a few minutes, but for several days 😱

The longer the problem lasted, the more present the stress became. My thoughts kept circling, to-do lists were piling up, and I felt constantly tense inside.

At some point, I simply sat down and started painting cards.Not with the conscious intention of “now I’m going to relax,” but simply because I couldn’t do anything else in that moment.

And almost unnoticed, something shifted.

My body softened. My breath slowed. My mind became quieter.

The laptop issue was still there –but suddenly it no longer stressed me out.

In that moment, I clearly felt what I had read before:

Creative activity directly affects our nervous system.

Not in an abstract or theoretical way – but very concretely, in the body.

At that point, everything came together for me. Because the book I had read earlier provided the neurobiological explanation for why creativity has such a strong impact on us.

And since I sometimes enjoy a bit of nerd talk, I’ll take you into that explanation now 👇🤓

BDNF – fertilizer for the brain 🌱

Our brain needs BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor).It is a growth and protective protein for nerve cells.

You can think of BDNF as a kind of fertilizer for the brain.

The higher the BDNF level, the better nerve cells can:

• grow and regenerate

• connect with each other

• learn and store new information

  
  

A low BDNF level, on the other hand, is often (not exclusively, but commonly) associated with things like:

• lack of motivation and low mood

• concentration difficulties

• increased vulnerability to stress

  
  

Why is BDNF so important?

BDNF plays a central role in:

• neuroplasticity (the brain’s ability to change and adapt)

• learning and memory

• emotional stability and stress resilience

In short: BDNF helps your brain stay flexible, capable of learning and resilient.

Why creativity increases BDNF levels

Creative activities are a small jackpot for the brain because they activate several BDNF triggers at the same time.

Our brain loves novelty. When we paint, we explore new colors, shapes, movements and structures. This stimulates the brain – it “learns” and releases more BDNF.

This doesn’t only apply to painting, but also to:

• drawing

• writing

• making music

• knitting, sewing

• any form of creative expression

  
  

Flow, emotions & regulation

When we engage in creative activities, we often enter a flow state:

• we are fully present

• we ruminate less

• stress levels decrease

  
  

Stress lowers BDNF levels –flow and relaxation support them.

At the same time, creativity helps us process emotions. We express what’s inside, regulate inner tension and return to balance. Our brain responds positively to this as well – and so does our BDNF level.

Another important aspect:Through creativity, we signal to our brain, “I am creating something.”This sense of self-efficacy has a regulating and supportive effect on our neural processes.

Important: it’s not about the result

You don’t need to paint perfectly or be especially “talented.”BDNF doesn’t respond to the outcome – it responds to the process.

That’s exactly what matters most to me in my courses as well. It’s not about the finished artwork, but about being present, relaxing, slowing down and experiencing the moment.

An additional bonus

Higher BDNF levels can also help with:

• making change feel easier

• establishing new habits

• experiencing motivation as more natural and less forced

  
  

The core message

Creativity is not a hobby or a luxury. It is a form of brain care.

This text is meant as an invitation to allow yourself more creative moments in everyday life – especially when you think you don’t have time for them.

If you’d like to create space for that intentionally, you’ll find it in my courses at my studio – away from performance pressure, with a focus on process, relief and flow.

So go ahead, have a look around and find a course that speaks to you.

See you in the studio 😉

Your brain will thank you. 🎨🧠