ABSTRACT
While “creative wellbeing” is increasingly referenced, it also remains undertheorised, complex, and understudied within wellbeing discourses. In this chapter, psychological perspectives on arts- and nature-based experiences are explored to build a theoretical explanation of creative wellbeing. From the discipline of positive psychology, the concept of “eudaimonic wellbeing” is examined to understand a potentially value-based interpretation of creativity. Emotions play a central role in understanding the processes of creative wellbeing, providing a possible explanation for understanding our drive to foster willingness and promote actions to contribute to create a better, and more sustainable world. By seriously considering the role of emotions, there is a potential for change and a possible shift in mindset – a mindshift towards core values for sustainable living – during arts- and nature-based activities. The identification of emotions such as “interest”, “awe”, “wonder”, and “love” is typical during arts- and nature-based activities and has significant implications for the development of moral emotions. A clarification of the hypothesised relationships is presented.
