How Creativity Can Make Us Happier Boost your mood, be more
productive, and improve your quality of life As a kid, whenever
I'd hastily compose a picture of a cycloptic blob or attack an
unoffending piece of paper with angry orange scrawl, I’d proudly
shove the picture in my mother’s face, already knowing what
she’d say. “Ooh!” she’d gasp. “How…creative!” There’s no
concrete definition of creativity, but most experts agree it’s
got something to do with the ability to come up with new ideas,
new links between ideas, and novel solutions to problems (with
or without destroying a pack of Crayolas). But here’s the
kicker: Forget the image of the brooding artist alone in a
basement studio. Research suggests creative people are actually
happier than everyone else. Creating Smiles—Why It Matters Not a
singer, writer, or dancer? No problem. Experts say absolutely
anyone can be creative, though different people may have
different talents. “It really has to do with open-mindedness,”
says Dr. Carrie Barron, co-author of