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Episode 145: The Science of Creativity: Why Creative Hobbies Fuel Innovation and Healing
Have you ever felt stuck in your work, unsure how to break through to the next level of impact and fulfillment? You’re not alone. Many therapists, psychologists, and helping professionals find themselves yearning to create something bigger than traditional one-on-one sessions—a book, a podcast, a new therapy approach, a retreat, or an online course. Yet, they feel paralyzed, unsure how to make space for creativity in their already full lives.
But what if creativity wasn’t a luxury? What if engaging in artistic hobbies wasn’t just a way to ‘relax,’ but a scientifically-backed method to enhance your innovation, impact, and overall effectiveness?
The Nobel Prize Study: Why the Most Brilliant Minds Engage in the Arts
A groundbreaking study highlighted in Originals by Adam Grant analyzed Nobel Prize-winning scientists between 1901 and 2005, comparing them to their equally skilled but less accomplished peers. Both groups had deep expertise in their respective fields, yet the Nobel laureates were dramatically more likely to engage in creative pursuits outside of their scientific work (Root-Bernstein, & Root-Bernstein, 2019). Here’s what the research found:
| Artistic Hobby | Increased Likelihood for Nobel Prize Winners |
|---|---|
| Playing music (instrument, composing, conducting) | 2x more likely |
| Visual arts (drawing, painting, sculpting) | 7x more likely |
| Crafts (woodworking, mechanics, electronics, glassblowing) | 7.5x more likely |
| Writing (poetry, plays, novels, essays) | 12x more likely |
| Performing arts (acting, dance, magic) | 22x more likely |
The pattern doesn’t just apply to scientists. A large-scale study of entrepreneurs and inventors found that those who started businesses and contributed to patent applications were also more likely to engage in arts-related hobbies, such as painting, literature, and sculpture (Woronkowicz & Noonan, 2019).
What This Means for Therapists, Healers, and Innovators
If you’re a therapist, psychologist, or wellness professional dreaming of making a greater impact but feeling creatively blocked, this study offers a profound insight: the key to unlocking your next big idea may not be more certifications or academic research, but rather, more time spent in creative play.
Creativity Fuels Problem-Solving
Engaging in the arts rewires the brain to make novel connections. Just as Nobel laureates use creativity to approach scientific problems in unique ways, therapists and wellness professionals can use it to craft new healing modalities, write transformative books, or design workshops that truly shift paradigms.
Creative Hobbies Make You More Resilient
Many of us hold deep grief, shame, or burnout from years of emotional labor. Creativity offers a powerful means of processing emotions. Studies in neuroscience show that engaging in artistic pursuits activates the default mode network (DMN), the part of the brain responsible for self-reflection, insight, and emotional integration. This is why many people report breakthroughs in therapy or deep personal healing when they take up dance, writing, or painting.
For me, dance has become an essential part of my healing journey. After not dancing for 18 years, I found myself drawn back in through a simple six-week beginner tap class. That one small decision unlocked a deeper connection to my body, my emotions, and my creativity. I’ve since added contemporary dance back into my life and even choreographed a duet with a fellow therapist.
Interestingly, the study shows that performing arts (acting, dance, and magic) had the strongest correlation with innovation, making practitioners 22 times more likely to win a Nobel Prize. That alone is enough for me to believe in the transformative power of creative movement.
Creativity is a Form of Rebellion Against Perfectionism
Many in our field hesitate to embrace creativity because of what their academic peers might think. But consider this: some of the most celebrated minds in history didn’t just stay in their lane—they expanded into multiple disciplines.
A lot of therapists (myself included) have had to unlearn perfectionism. For me, dance has taught me to embrace the messy process—learning to accept that I won’t get the choreography right the first time (or the tenth!). But it has also helped me trust that I will get it eventually.
When we create for the sake of joy rather than expertise, we break free from the conditioning that tells us everything must have a productive outcome.
Overcoming the Barriers to Creativity
Despite knowing the benefits, many therapists and helping professionals struggle to prioritize creative time. Here’s how to break through:
- Reframe Creativity as Professional Development – If Nobel Prize winners saw creative hobbies as an asset, so should we. Creativity isn’t time wasted; it’s time invested in becoming a more innovative healer.
- Start Small and Playfully – You don’t need to become a novelist or a concert pianist. Take a pottery class, write a haiku, learn tap dance, or sketch in a journal.
- Create a ‘Body Doubling’ Practice – Join a co-working or creative accountability group where you engage in creative work alongside others. This helps bypass procrastination.
- Set Boundaries with Perfectionism – You don’t need to be ‘good’ at your creative pursuit. The process matters more than the result.
- Align with Your Nervous System – Many therapists hesitate to explore creativity for fear of what others will think, but creativity is an approachable, non-threatening way to integrate more embodied work into your life.
Upcoming Workshops & Events
I’m passionate about creating collaborative spaces for therapists, healers, and entrepreneurs to explore creativity in a safe and inspiring way. Here are some exciting events coming up:
- Beginner’s Dance Workshop for Therapists & Entrepreneurs – A movement-based class focused on connection, embodiment, and creative expression.
- Aerial & Bungee Fitness + Mocktail Social – A fun, interactive class followed by guided connection and conversation.
- Virtual Body Doubling Sessions – Online co-working sessions designed to support therapists and helping professionals in making space for creativity.
- Creative Writing Collaborations – Workshops and events focused on self-expression through writing, storytelling, and personal narrative exploration.
Make sure you’re on my email list to get updates about these and other future events!
Final Thoughts: Your Work Needs You, Not Just Your Knowledge
Your next big idea—the one that could transform your career and help countless others—won’t come from grinding harder. It will emerge from giving yourself permission to play, to create, and to engage in the kinds of hobbies that light you up.
So, what will you create today?
Want More Support & Connection?
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References
Study on Nobel Prize-winning scientists and artistic hobbies:
Root-Bernstein, R., & Root-Bernstein, M. (2019). Polymathy among Nobel laureates as a creative strategy. Creativity Research Journal, 31(4), 400–407.
This study, conducted by researchers at Michigan State University, examines the role of polymathy—engagement in multiple disciplines or hobbies—in the creative strategies of Nobel laureates.
Study on entrepreneurs, inventors, and arts-related hobbies:
Woronkowicz, J., & Noonan, D. S. (2019). Arts majors as entrepreneurs and innovators. Small Business Economics, 52(3), 743–755.
This large-scale study investigates the correlation between arts education and entrepreneurial as well as innovative activities, highlighting that individuals with arts-related backgrounds are more likely to engage in entrepreneurial ventures and contribute to patent applications.
Disclaimer:
This blog and podcast are for informational and educational purposes only. They do not constitute medical or mental health advice and are not a substitute for professional consultation or treatment.