The first COVID-19 lockdown in France changed daily routines and increased creativity for many, a study from the Paris Brain Institute at Sorbonne University found. Participants reported higher creativity levels during the lockdown compared to before, despite pandemic-related stress.
The research relied on an online survey of 343 French speakers. It examined how lifestyle shifts affected creative output. Respondents answered questions about changes in their creativity, measured through self-assessment and a list of 28 common activities, including cooking, gardening, writing, and decorating.
Related: Understanding Deeply Infiltrative Endometriosis
Factors behind the creative increase
Participants engaged more in cooking, sports and dance programs, self-help programs, and gardening. The real reasons for the creative boost involved how people felt and the time they had available.
Mood changes were the strongest predictor of increased creativity. Those who felt better during lockdown were more likely to describe themselves as creative. Stress and anxiety had the opposite effect. While the connection between positive mood and creativity is known, the direction of this relationship remains unclear. The study’s authors suggested creative expression helped individuals manage negative emotions tied to confinement, improving their well-being.
Dr. Alizée Lopez-Persem, one of the study’s authors, stated, “One of our analyses suggests creative expression enabled individuals to better manage their negative emotions linked to confinement and therefore to feel better during this difficult period.”
Related: Nivolumab Improves Survival for 80% Lung Cancer Patients
Free time also played a key role. With commutes gone and many workplaces closed, some gained extra hours. However, parents balancing childcare often had less free time. The study found an increase in free time was linked to higher creativity.
Constraints and creativity
Obstacles like limited supplies or space didn’t clearly reduce creativity. Some highly creative individuals faced as many challenges as those who felt less inspired. Dr. Ajay Agrawal of the University of Toronto explained on the Disruptors podcast that constraints can push the mind to find new solutions. “The minute you set constraints, now the creative mind gets to work on how to achieve the goal, conditional on these constraints,” he said.
Personality influenced outcomes. The study focused on “openness to experience,” a trait linked to creativity. Participants with higher openness scores reported increased creativity. Yet even after accounting for this trait, free time and emotional factors remained more influential.
Related: Study Shows CBD Quality Directly Impacts Consumer Safety
Not everyone benefited. The survey missed those who struggled with motivation or mental health. The sample also leaned toward people already inclined to reflect on creativity. For those who found an outlet, the lockdown provided a rare pause from usual routines, allowing energy to flow into new or forgotten activities.
The authors clarified that stress doesn’t in