In this illuminating episode, Dr. Jennifer Reid speaks with Dr. Danah Henriksen, Associate Professor of Leadership and Innovation at Arizona State University and co-author of Explaining Creativity: The Science of Human Innovation, about the interconnections between creativity, mindfulness, and well-being. Dr. Henriksen shares valuable insights from her research and personal experience about nurturing creativity in both educational settings and daily life.

"Creativity is something that's fundamental and core to who we are as people. But we often do have to kind of fight with ourselves to make sure we're leaving some time for that."

Understanding Creativity

Dr. Henriksen challenges the common misconception that creativity is limited to artistic pursuits or special talents. She emphasizes that creativity is accessible to everyone: "If you look across the breadth of most creativity studies, it's really something that we all have access to in different ways as human beings."

Creativity in Education

Dr. Henriksen discusses the tension between standardized testing requirements and fostering creativity in schools. She shares insights from her study of National Teacher of the Year award winners who successfully integrated creative approaches while achieving strong academic results.

Nurturing Creativity in Children

For parents looking to support creativity, Dr. Henriksen recommends:

* Recognizing that children are naturally creative

* Supporting their existing interests and creative passions

* Praising the creative process rather than just the outcome

* Providing diverse experiences and encouraging safe risk-taking

* Fostering a growth mindset about mistakes and learning

The Mindfulness-Creativity Connection

Dr. Henriksen shares how mindfulness can enhance creativity, noting, "The ability to kind of suspend judgment... that ability of reframing or looking at things with fresh eyes is a really key part of creativity."

Practical Takeaways

* Make time for creative activities, even if they don't serve an obvious productive purpose

* Practice mindful awareness to support creative thinking and overall well-being

* View mistakes as learning opportunities rather than failures

* Consider creativity as essential to human nature rather than just a luxury

* Be mindful of where you direct your attention in our distraction-filled world

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Dr. Danah Henriksen is an Associate Professor of Leadership & Innovation at Arizona State University. Her research focuses broadly on creativity in education, with individual threads of creativity work related to mindfulness and wellbeing, as well as areas of work on design or technology. She has contributed to multiple publications, including as a co-author of Explaining Creativity: The Science of Human Innovation with R. Keith Sawyer.

Dr. Reid on Instagram: @jenreidmd and LinkedIn

Also check out Dr. Reid's regular contributions to Psychology Today: Think Like a Shrink.

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