How can relational creativity help reduce operational and emotional stress?
When it comes to managing stress, some people turn to activities that allow them to escape reality, such as video games, movies, or reading.
These activities are passive and do not require much active participation from the individual. Relational creativity is an alternative approach that involves creating meaningful connections with others through creative expression.
What is relational creativity?
Relational creativity is the ability to create new ideas, solutions, and products based on social interaction and collaboration with others. This type of creativity requires individuals to connect with others, listen carefully to their ideas and perspectives, and combine those insights into something unique. It also involves taking risks and being open to failure, which can be difficult for some people but ultimately leads to greater success.
Buffering against operational stress
In a work setting, relational creativity can be used to address operational stress by involving team members in problem-solving processes.
Rather than assigning tasks individually without feedback, managers can gather their employees together to discuss potential solutions and encourage collaboration. By working together towards a common goal, employees feel more engaged and invested in the outcome. They also learn valuable skills like communication, teamwork, and adaptability.
Reducing emotional stress
Emotional stress often stems from feeling isolated or disconnected from others. Relational creativity provides a way to combat this by connecting with others through shared interests or experiences.
If someone is struggling with grief, they may find comfort in expressing themselves through writing or art. Others may join them in these activities and provide support. This not only reduces emotional stress but fosters a sense of community.
Relational creativity is an effective tool for reducing both operational and emotional stress. By engaging in meaningful connections with others and embracing risk-taking, individuals can build resilience and develop new ways of thinking. Whether it's at work or at home, relational creativity can help us navigate life's challenges with greater ease.
In what ways does relational creativity buffer against operational and emotional stress?
Relational creativity can be defined as the capacity of individuals to adaptively respond to challenging situations that require flexibility and innovation (Roth et al. , 2015). It has been suggested that individuals who possess high levels of relational creativity tend to perceive stressful events more positively and experience lower negative emotions than those with low levels of relational creativity (Brown et al. , 2020; Roth et al. , 2015).