The Real Cure for Burnout Isn’t Rest—It’s Creativity. Here's How Anyone Can Unlock Theirs

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Sep 10, 2025

Katina Bajaj is a creative health scientist and co-founder of Daydreamers, focusing on how creativity impacts our health. She discusses the vital role of creativity, not just in art but as a cornerstone of well-being. Listeners learn about 'mini-c creativity' and how simple daily practices can combat burnout and enhance mental health. She also highlights the concept of flow versus mindless scrolling, offering practical tools to incorporate creativity into everyday life, ultimately inspiring a more fulfilling existence.

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INSIGHT

Creativity Is A Human Capacity

Creativity is innate and part of how humans evolved to imagine and make new realities.
Katina Bajaj reframes creativity as a universal capacity, not a special talent reserved for artists.

ANECDOTE

Burnout Led Her Back To Creativity

Katina recounts personal burnout and found creativity when other well‑being tools failed.
Turning to mini‑C practices gave her agency and helped defrost her brain.

INSIGHT

Creativity Is Networked In The Brain

Creativity arises from interacting brain networks (default mode, control, salience) rather than a single brain spot.
Understanding these networks shows creativity is an everyday mental process, not only artistic output.

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Is creativity really just painting, writing, or dancing—or is it something far more essential to our wellbeing?

In this fascinating conversation, Katina Bajaj, creative health scientist and co-founder of Daydreamers, shares why creativity is a core pillar of health—just as important as diet, sleep, and exercise. Drawing from neuroscience, psychology, and her work at Columbia University, Katina explains how simple daily creative practices can boost mental health, improve resilience, and help us thrive.

In this episode, we unpack:

What creative health actually means—and why it’s overlooked

The 8 pillars of creativity validated by research
How “mini-c creativity” can reduce stress & support long-term brain health
Why flow state matters (and how it differs from scrolling)
How to close stress cycles through creative expression
Tools to overcome perfectionism, autopilot, and conformity
Practical ways to infuse creativity into any job, hobby, or relationship

✨ This episode redefines creativity as an everyday wellness practice—not a luxury. It will leave you inspired to reclaim your creative brain for better mental health, resilience, and joy.

✨ Homework: After listening, take 15 minutes for a creative practice—doodle, dance, cook without a recipe, or write freely—and notice how it shifts your energy.

For more from Katina Bajaj, find her on TikTok or Instagram @katina.bajaj, online at https://www.katinabajaj.com, or check out her company: https://daydreamers.co/

Check out the previous episode of The Liz Moody Podcast discussed today:

The Seven-Minute Secret To Happiness That No One Is Talking About with Dr. Dacher Keltner

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