New Study Shows 85% Believe Creativity Boosts Health—Yet Half Never Practice It
A new study has revealed that most adults in the UK, Spain, and Australia recognise the benefits of creative activities for health and wellbeing. The research, involving 4,000 people, found that 85% believe drawing, painting, or similar pursuits have a positive impact on their lives. Now, healthcare provider Bupa is launching a campaign to encourage more people to explore creativity as a way to share their health experiences. The survey, carried out by Opinium, included nationally representative samples from three countries. It showed that while many value creativity, nearly half (47%) of respondents spend no time on artistic activities. Among those who don’t engage in them, 55% couldn’t recall the last time they did, and 35% admitted it had been over a year.
The biggest obstacles were lack of time, inspiration, and tiredness. Yet, even brief creative sessions have been proven to lower stress and anxiety by reducing cortisol levels. Art can also help people process emotions and life events, supporting mental wellbeing.
Bupa’s Express Your Health campaign aims to change this by inviting people worldwide—including those in Hong Kong—to share their health stories through art. The initiative features Hong Kong-based artist Sophia Hotung, who turned to digital art while bedbound during autoimmune relapses. Her work for the campaign reflects her journey of using creativity to understand and express her illness.
The campaign’s website will host a global collection of artworks, encouraging participants to contribute their own pieces. The findings highlight a gap between recognition of creativity’s benefits and actual participation. Bupa’s campaign seeks to bridge this by promoting art as a tool for health expression. People can now submit their creative works to the Express Your Health platform, joining a growing international collection.
