How creative writing can promote good mental health

Writing and getting creative is a great way to support your mental health and wellbeing, but where do you begin? Read our top creative writing tips from Alex, a volunteer with our BAND community based mental health service in Bolton.

In a world which leaves little time for reflection and creativity, writing has many benefits. It can allow you to organise your thoughts, process emotions, boost your imagination, and improve your conversation skills. Over time this can contribute to your development, not only as a writer but as a person. It is also the perfect way to support good mental health.

When staring down at a blank piece of paper, ideas are not always forthcoming. Once this hurdle has been overcome and pen has been put to paper, the words can start to flow and writing becomes enjoyable.

Similar to the snowball effect, the more you write the easier it becomes and your imagination will no doubt grow as well.

Alex

Volunteer with BAND community based mental health service in Bolton

To help you take steps in what is a fulfilling pastime for many (and can bring joy to others if you choose to let them read it), here are 10 writing prompts which should get your creative spark ignited.

Write about a colour

Pick a colour, for example yellow, and write a poem or a paragraph. What does this colour mean to you, what does it remind you of, does it make you think of a memory, if it had a smell what would it be?

‘Freewriting’

Set a timer for either five or ten minutes and once you start the timer start writing and don’t stop until the alarm goes off. Don’t worry about writing gibberish/it not making sense – that’s the point! Just make sure you are writing whatever comes to your mind and don’t stop writing. When you’ve finished read through what you have written and see if you can make a poem or paragraph.

Look outside

Go to a window wherever you are and look outside. Write one paragraph about what you can see, hear, and smell. Then write another paragraph as if you live in a fantasy world. What do you see, hear, and smell now?

Imagine you’re an animal

You can choose whether you have always been an animal or have suddenly turned into one. Never mention what animal you have chosen. Write a poem or short story about what it’s like to be this animal and mention all five senses (sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch).

Write two sentences that make a complete short story

I recommend writing a short story that’s only a paragraph long and then cutting it down to the two most essential sentences.

Imagine you’re an alien

You have just arrived on Earth and have no idea what a TV is. Try to describe what it is and what it does. Are you fascinated or scared by it?

Find a photograph

Find a photo of anything (yourself, a family member, an object or animal). Write a poem or paragraph describing the photo in detail. How does this photo make you feel, what memories does it bring back, what led up to this photo being taken?

close up of hands writing love messages in a card

Use a random word generator

You can either use the five words that I randomly selected:

Mind
Wish
Seize
Sleep
Soap

Or you can go on to the random word generator website and get another five random words. Use the five words to create a poem or a short story.

Put on your favourite song

Wearing earphones if possible, listen to your favourite song once and focus on what you can hear. Then play it again and write about what you think about when you hear the lyrics, what emotions do you feel, describe it. Write a poem or short story. Feel free to include the song title and lyrics.

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How creative writing can promote good mental health

Write about a colour

‘Freewriting’

Look outside

Imagine you’re an animal

Write two sentences that make a complete short story

Imagine you’re an alien

Find a photograph

Use a random word generator

Put on your favourite song

Call, text, email or web chat FamilyLine

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