I recently purchased a new notebook - the lined paper kind. It makes me so happy when I sit down and open it.

It's full of possibilities. I can imagine anything: a new goal, a new dream, a new poem, a new series of self-help tools to relieve anxiety and overwhelm, a new social media post.

Even if it's "just" a new to do list for the coming week, it's a fresh page, a fresh start. As I start to write whatever speaks to me in that moment, I allow my mind to wander.

This mind wandering allows the creative side of me to take over and gets me into the flow, which is important for our mental health and wellbeing.

Creativity engages the mind in a different way than our normal everyday thinking. It helps make learning easier and allows us to shift our old ways of thinking - we can tap into a non-linear way of thinking.

In an article for The National Youth Council of Ireland, Jessica Carson says: "It opens our hearts and doors to our mind. It brings us to hidden parts of ourselves. It allows recognition of uniqueness and identity. It can help draw out what is already there within – hidden talents and inner capacities can emerge. It connects us with our passions."

The article goes on to say: "A society that has lost touch with its creative side is an imprisoned society, in that generations of people may be closed minded. It broadens our perspectives and can help us overcome prejudices."

Being creative has been linked to a reduced risk of depression and anxiety, along with a reduced risk of cognitive decline.

Being creative has also been linked to increased feelings of well-being and happiness.

There are so many ways of getting into the flow, of allowing yourself to begin to be creative:

• getting comfortable and putting on some amazing music and really getting into the music - feel it, dance to it, sway with it

• go for a walk and immerse yourself in the sounds, the sights, the smells, how the ground feels under your feet

• put your phone down and simply breathe

• go for a drive someplace new, or down a street you've never been to and notice what you notice

• if you are experiencing challenge(s), have a "think outside the box" chat with a trusted friend and come up with new ways of looking at those challenges, no matter how silly those ideas may be

• pull out the adult colouring books or puzzles

• try your hand at writing a poem or a short story - it doesn't have to rhyme or be perfect

Giving ourselves time to be creative goes a long way to reducing our anxiety, our overwhelm and our overall stress.

What do you do to increase the creative time in your life?

Reach out if you have questions at alison@alisonzeidler.com​