The Happy Brain: How Creativity Boosts Your Wellbeing, with Tim Buell

Health Raisers

Welcome to today’s episode, where we explore the transformative power of creativity and its profound connection to our well-being. Mary Lou Cook once said, “Creativity is inventing, experimenting, growing, taking risks, breaking rules, making mistakes, and having fun.”

When I spoke with art therapist Kathleen Daly on the YOGI MD Podcast, she highlighted the therapeutic potential of the creative process itself—how it can provide a much-needed "brain break" and offer a means of relaxation, even for those who don't consider themselves artistic. As she put it, “I had used art from a very young age as a way to have fun, explore, process through things. And that was always a tool for me when I wasn't feeling well or needed to think through some stuff.”

Art and music go hand in hand to support overall health and wellness. In another YOGI MD episode, music therapist Jeffrey Wolfe emphasized that music allows people to express emotions without words, offering a powerful outlet for feelings. In his work with dementia patients, he uses music to tap into memory and brain function, saying, “Music is one of the last things that we lose... because of how connected all those synapses are in music within the brain. Music is stored deeply within our hippocampus... so we can use that to create new connections in the brain, with brain plasticity, to help repair parts that are damaged.”

Studies show that engaging in creative activities can lead to greater happiness. And happiness leads to more creativity. This connection nourishes the mind, body, and soul.

In today’s episode, I’m thrilled to welcome back professional Nashville drummer Tim Buell, my friend and drum teacher, to discuss the connection between creativity and well-being. Tim encouraged me to express myself in a new way by creating original music for this podcast, which opened doors to an exciting creative process.

As Bruce Lee said, “The creative process is a process of surrender, not control." Join us as we explore how letting go and embracing creativity can transform us.

Original Podcast Music by Nadine Kelly (drums and vocals) and Tim Buell; Produced by Tim Buell

Sponsored by Infusco Coffee Roasters.