In contemporary times, the focus on mental health has increased significantly. According to the World Mental Health Organization, mental health is described as a state of well-being that allows people to deal with stress, develop their potential, work productively, and contribute to their community. It encompasses emotional, psychological, and social well-being, which is crucial in shaping thought processes.
The theme of this year's World Mental Health Day (Oct 10, 2024) is ‘It's time to prioritize mental health at the workplace.’ Given the current culture of work, one can deduce that the modern workplace often demands high levels of productivity, efficiency, and performance from employees. These external demands can often lead to increased stress, burnout, and poor mental health. This was also brought to the forefront recently this year, in the EY case ending in a tragic outcome. Many cases like this bring attention to broader issues that working professionals face due to their workload. A study on a Dutch railway company examined the link between workload and mental health across age groups (22-66 years). It measured six workload aspects (e.g., work pressure, mental workload) and three mental health outcomes (fatigue, stress, burnout), revealing that increased work pressure poses a risk to mental health.
A relevant perspective to mitigate the negative effects of workload comes from Hansika Kapoor, Research Author, Department of Psychology, Monk Prayogshala says, "For many of us, our work self is an important identity. Just as creativity can be used to make meaning in life, it can be used to make work more meaningful. By fostering innovation, problem-solving, and teamwork, among others, creativity at work can help buffer against burnout, stress, and mental fatigue.”
Creativity is a dynamic process, whereby individuals or groups produce an original, novel, and effective output. Creative expression can be seen in art, music, writing, problem-solving, and numerous other areas of life. Creative expression yields various benefits for the physical and mental health of individuals. In favour of improving mental health, research suggests that engaging in creative activities can lead to positive changes in mental well-being. A study published in the Journal of Positive Psychology supports this, showing that involvement in creative pursuits significantly predicts increases in positive affect, flourishing, and overall well-being the following day. The study highlights that creative engagement can effectively contribute to improved mental health.
Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, a recognized psychologist in the field of positive psychology, proposed that there is a linear relationship between flow, an aspect of creativity, and well-being. He noted that people who experience creativity are more likely to experience positive states of emotion, like happiness. Research in the Journal of Creativity proposed a psychosocial model of creativity and mental health. Their review of existing research highlights that emotional regulation, cognitive flexibility, and social connectedness are positively influenced by engaging in creative activities. Furthermore, another research highlights the facilitative role of creativity on the subjective well-being of young adults and working adults.
Against this backdrop, research has suggested that fostering creativity or creative expression can be used by organisations to build a much psychologically healthier organisation culture. A study investigated the relationship between organisational creativity and the psychological well-being of employees from a high-tech industry. Results suggested that enhancing the conditions for creativity could significantly improve the psychological well-being of employees. Furthermore, this suggests that human creativity can be seen as one of the greatest resources for any organisation, be it a creativity-driven organisation like design or a routine-driven organisation like IT companies.
All organisations can work towards building an environment that promotes creativity to improve employee well-being. Another study highlights some contributors that can facilitate factors for workplace creativity. These include motivation, both intrinsic and extrinsic, self-efficacy, social support in the organisation, job autonomy, and cognitive styles. Openness to creativity in an organisational climate ultimately fosters a culture that enhances both employee well-being and organisational success.
In the hustle and bustle of everyday corporate culture, a commitment to engaging employees creatively ensues costs, including time, deploying human resources, and loss of ‘productive hours’. However, Abhishek Vajjala, Junior Research Assistant, Department of Economics, Monk Prayogshala suggests that "Working longer is a poor solution for productivity or whatever economic malaise ails an economy, for what good are the countless hours when a competitor can offer to work for even longer for a lot less? The answer (for individuals, firms, and economies) lies in setting yourself apart from the rest and mastering what you are best at yet innovating all the same."
Thus, a question organisations are struggling with, is how to engage employees creatively and foster innovation. Studies suggest that providing employees with flexible work arrangements, opportunities for cooperation, encouraging feedback loops, and autonomy in their responsibilities can help them feel valued and empowered to explore new ideas. Workplace design can also play a key role, as employees can also explore and think creatively and unconventionally by having access to a variety of resources, creative spaces, and brainstorming sessions. Furthermore, fostering a healthy work culture and lowering burnout can be achieved by supporting work-life balance through mental health initiatives including wellness programs, stress management classes, and counselling services.
As Sarah Rezaei, Senior Research Assistant, Monk Prayogshala says, "Creativity in the workplace isn't just about getting things done—it's about feeling good while doing it. When people can think freely and explore new ideas, it not only sparks productivity but also boosts overall happiness and well-being. A creative space is a happy space!" – it is high time we value creativity as a conduit to improving mental well-being and integrate it into organisational dynamics.
Check out more blogs by Monk Prayogshala on creativity, mental health, and workplaces!
T. Roy and Manasi Prabhakaran
