Patsy Marshall’s Students Explore Nature and Creativity
In Patsy Marshall’s Creative Thinking: Theory and Practice course this term (HUMN 14857G), students are required to do an assignment that reflects on going out into nature and spending 15-20 minutes relaxing.
Please find attached student examples of this exercise from Patsy’s students Rim Mslmani and Melody Kirabo.
Quoting psychologist Jeffrey Gaines, Patsy instructs the students:
“Relaxation is known to enhance creativity. There are various proven ways to put oneself in a relaxed state. These include progressive muscle relaxation, diaphragmatic breathing, walking meditation, and yoga postures.
“For example, progressive muscle relaxation has been associated with reductions in heart rate, anxiety, and perceived stress. In addition, relaxed states have been shown to foster thought processes important for creativity. For example, diaphragmatic breathing has been associated with improved attention, a key component in creative problem solving (Ma et al., 2017).
Furthermore, stress – the opposite of relaxation – is known to kill nerve cells in the hippocampus, an area of the brain where new memories are formed. These new memories help us make connections with other things, fueling the creative process. Stress management is, therefore, imperative.
So, take a break. Create a relaxed state for yourself by breathing deeply, stretching, going for a walk, whatever works for you. Once relaxed, you might find a creative answer to a problem that has been eluding you.”
