You’re reading The 5 Best Podcasts on Creativity, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’re enjoying this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

An idea without action is imagination, not creativity. Creativity often feels like you are experiencing a finely tuned sense of self, a realm of consciousness that sparks the flame of an idea or an innovation. There is an amalgamation of patterns, connections and perceptions that precede the rush of creativity, yet it can be so elusive to achieve. The act of discovering and producing solutions is also at the core of creativity. These 5 podcasts illuminate what exactly it is to embody creativity.

1. This is a podcast by Brian Koppelman who speaks to author Seth Godin as they tackle the topic of inertia and writer’s block. One must begin with the question “who is it for?’ He feels there is no such thing as writer’s block, only bad habits and fear of what someone else will say. The inventions of judgment is not fuel it’s sabotage’. All is in the act of practice.

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2. This podcast ‘Show up before you’re ready’ features Glennon-Doyle Melton, and is such an honest conversation to listen to. She posits that the deeper you go the more other people see themselves in you. So, there is no reason to worry about showing people who you are, which is a big obstacle for most creative people.

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3. How do you know you’re creative? There is not one perfect measure to find it, but there are several correlations that point to that answer. Cultural knowledge and the moment in time enter into the equation. Creativity is routinely equated with the arts, but other skills relate to ingenuity as well, such a science, that draw on perception and problem solving. There is courage involved in being able to color outside the lines.

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4. This podcast interviews Justine Musk, as she discusses her journey of discovering her true purpose in life after an identity crisis. When you ask yourself different questions such as how to live a meaningful life, how do you then create that for yourself? Creativity in this broader scope of your entire life’s purpose is a question about tuning in to your intuitive voice. Ask yourself what is working in your life, dissect it and discover emotional resonance, that is a result of creative expression and communication.

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5. In this blog, they discuss the question that with the knowledge that the old guard of ‘left brain, right brain’ ideas are overturned, where does creativity actually come from? The answer is ‘it’s complex’, and points to multi faceted traits such as behaviors, cognitive processes, how our brain makes associations, etc – these are all factors. Creative people tend to daydream, all the work is in your head. Identify when you work the best and hold on to this to foster your best creative effort.

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Creativity begins with a drive, a conviction and a sense of optimism about a particular point of view. However, it is not necessarily always an innate or inherent quality, creativity is something that can be cultivated to a certain degree. Creative people utilize different ways of processing experience, make unique connections between things, and form new insights. There’s a need to reach out and make contact with others who may acknowledge the impact of the creative outlet. To be creative is uniquely human, and over the ages, humanity has produced astonishing works that display the depths of our mystifying imagination.

Do you read a great blog about creativity that’s not on the list? Leave a comment on FB!

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Larissa Gomes is a breast cancer survivor and single mom to her spirited baby boy! Originally from Toronto turned Angeleno, she has worked in roles from writer, actor and producer for well over a decade. In that time, she’s developed concepts, film and television screenplays, short stories, along with freelance articles, blogging and editing work.

You’ve read The 5 Best Podcasts on Creativity, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’ve enjoyed this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

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You’re reading 5 Ways Outdoor Workouts Improve Our Mental Wellbeing, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’re enjoying this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

With Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) now recognized as a very real condition, it’s becoming easier to find ways to combat the melancholy state of mind that plagues seasonal sufferers. Whether it’s the dark nights, the change in the weather or any other external factors causing a decline in your mood, there are ways to lift your spirits.

In today’s article, we’re taking a look at various mental health benefits that come with outdoor exercise and giving you the inspiration you need to incorporate small but life-altering changes into your daily routine.

1. They encourage us to socialize

If you suffer from anxiety and find socializing with other people challenging, getting involved in group activities can offer one way to combat your fears. There are a number of websites designed to help anxiety sufferers, where people can receive help and advice and meet up with people experiencing similar feelings.

When you feel ready, get together with friends and organize short walks through the park or even take your dogs to the beach – it doesn’t need to be an intense workout to help you reap the rewards.

Find out more at anxietyuk.org.uk

2. They get us out of the house

There’s no denying that winter brings with it a number of exciting things. From festive markets to the big day itself, it really can be the most wonderful time of the year. But it’s also cold and dark, and it can be tempting to stay wrapped up indoors where it’s warm. This sort of behavior can often lead to agitation and restlessness, as neither your mind nor your body are getting the stimulation they need to stay active.

Resist the temptation to tuck your bike away for the winter or take the car to work everyday, and try and spend at least 30 minutes more outside each day. Your mind and body will thank you for it!

3. They help us get fit

The festive season technically doesn’t start until December, so fight the urge to tuck into the mince pies as soon as they hit the shelves. If you’re not a fan of the gym, find out whether there are any outdoor running clubs or bootcamps close to where you live. You can set yourself small, manageable goals to achieve over the weeks leading up to Christmas, and your first mince pie will taste all the more sweet!

4. They help us sleep better

There’s nothing like a good dose of cold, crisp winter air to help you sleep at night – and if you can fit your workout in during daylight hours, even better! Studies have shown that a lack of sunlight can lead to a decline in serotonin levels. This, in turn, can disrupt our sleep – as well as causing a lack of appetite and irregular moods. You might often find yourself feeling more tired when you haven’t done much exercise but, by bedtime, you struggle to sleep.

Exercise shouldn’t be ignored during the winter months. It can have a domino effect on your mental health – leading to a lack of sleep, an increasingly irritable mood and even underperformance at work. So, where possible, find time to get in at least 20 minutes of open-air exercise a day.

5. They reduce stress levels

With a total of 488,000 work-related stress, anxiety or depression cases in 2015-2016 and 11.7 million working days lost as a result, it’s clear that Brits’ careers are having a dramatic impact on their mental health. If you’re having a particularly stressful day at work, try to avoid working beyond your contracted hours – and rather than going straight home and staying in the house all evening, commit to going for a quick run or walk outside. Even beyond daylight hours, this will help you to relax and will invariably lead to a more peaceful night’s sleep.

From intense bootcamps to a stroll along the beach, any outdoor activity can help to create a happy, healthy mindset – so what are you waiting for? Say goodbye to the sofa and head off to the park!

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 Jay Connelly is a diehard rugby fan and blogger for rugbystore, the world’s number one online rugby retailer – helping aspiring athletes and committed rugby players to improve their game.

You’ve read 5 Ways Outdoor Workouts Improve Our Mental Wellbeing, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’ve enjoyed this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

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