FEATURE MENTAL HEALTH
How to think creatively about getting creative
Gina Grimwood and Lucy Thompson share some examples of their work around creativity and positivity in recovery education
CREATIVE MINDFULNESS
© Nadezda _ Grapes via Getty Images
Research suggests that forming a positive mindset does not come naturally to humans . Alison Ledgerwood , in her Ted Talk ‘ Getting stuck in the negatives ’, discusses research indicating that if we begin with a negative outlook , it is far more challenging for the human mind to then switch to a positive perspective ( www . youtube . com / watch ? v = 7XFLTDQ4JMk ).
Whereas it is an easy transition for us to move from positives to negatives . In a time of pandemic , this can be an even greater challenge .
Ironically , we need optimism and gratitude more now than ever . In fact , Robert A Emmons , author of Gratitude works ! says that he is ‘… often asked if people are able to summon the courage to feel grateful under such dire circumstances ’ ( Emmons 2013 ).
His response is ‘… that not only will a grateful attitude help , but it is also essential … under crisis conditions is when we have the most to gain by a grateful perspective on life .’ But how to do it ?
At Inclusion Recovery College Thurrock , our aim is to empower our students to live more hopeful , healthy and fulfilling lives – whatever that means to them and their varying aspirations .
During the first 2020 lockdown , unable to run in-person courses , we began running our wellbeing courses online .
Every Recovery College course is co-produced and facilitated , equally valuing lived experience and theory . In response to the unprecedented pandemic situation , we developed a number of relevant courses to support our students and community .
One intervention was the college magazine , Experience Stories and Wellbeing , and another was a course that combines the benefits of creativity with positive psychology .
38 OTnews August 2021