The Science of "Unfocusing": How Creativity Calms the Brain

What is “Mental Fog” and How Does it Affect my Spiritual Health?

“Mental Fog,” or as some call it, “Brain Fog,” is a constant inner noise that keeps us from focusing on the job at hand.

I would guarantee you’ve experienced it. I know I have. Have you ever been in the middle of doing something and completely lost track of your train of thought? Your mind has wandered to something else … replaying work conversations or managing a hectic family schedule. That is mental fog creeping into your day.

Besides slowing us down as we try to complete projects, mental fog can lead to physical exhaustion, depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, and even spiritual exhaustion.

When your mind is this crowded, it becomes difficult to notice the small reminders God places in your path to lead you back to Him.

Why Does my Brain Feel Like it’s Constantly in “Fight or Flight" Mode?

This feeling is rooted in the amygdala, an almond-shaped cluster in your brain that triggers your immediate stress response.

When you are overwhelmed by life's demands, the amygdala becomes hyperreactive. Much of this stress is a byproduct of “left-brain” over-analyzing—where the mind runs non-stop, replaying scenarios and lists.

When you have mental fog no matter how hard you may try, you just can’t clear your mind. The longer your brain is stuck in this mode, the harder it is to get out of it.

My husband learned this the hard way.

From the time my husband went to college until we met over 15 years later, he was in a constant state of worry. He was a single dad who had full custody of his son.

He stayed in a job he didn’t enjoy because it was a steady check and he was afraid to step forward … he was a dad. His son was his only focus.

Years of constant worry put him in a constant state of fight or flight.

When we got together he finally felt comfortable taking the next step in his career. He now has a job that fits him well, and he thrives in it.

He also has someone to share parenting responsibilities. And he knows I love his son as my own. This was a huge weight off his shoulders.

Here is the irony, it’s been almost 12 years since we met and he still struggles with depression, anxiety, and sleep issues. He is lucky to get 4 or 5 hours a night of sleep. It’s not because he is worried about anything. It’s the fact that he had been in fight or flight so long that he is having a difficult time resetting his amygdala.

How Does Creative Activity Actually Lower Stress Levels?

Engaging in a rhythmic, repetitive activity—like coloring, shading, or drawing—sends a direct signal to the amygdala that there is no immediate threat.

• Creative activities force a mental shift from the analytical left hemisphere to the creative right hemisphere.

• By focusing on “micro-movements” of the hand, you shift your brain’s resources away from the fear center and toward the prefrontal cortex, which is the rational, decision-making part of the brain.

• It is physically difficult for the brain to maintain a narrative of “I'm overwhelmed” while it is busy calculating the curve of a line or the pressure needed for a color gradient.

Do I Need to be an Artist to See These Biological Benefits?

No. A landmark 2016 study published in the journal Art Therapy proved that your skill level is irrelevant to the benefit.

In this study, researchers measured cortisol (the primary stress hormone) in 39 adult participants after 45 minutes of art-making. 75% of participants showed a significant drop in cortisol levels. Crucially, the study found that prior experience did not matter; the act of creating itself triggers the physiological calm.

Let’s bring this to something you’ve probably already done. Have you ever been in a meeting, seminar, or class and mindlessly doodled on your paper? It’s crazy looking back, did you process what was being said? Of course you did. Actually, it probably made it easier to focus on what was being said. Your mind wandered less and you cleared your mind to intake the information better.

How Can “Unfocusing” Help Me Reconnect with God?

The soul requires stillness to renew itself, but "being still" is more than just sitting in silence.

Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still, and know that I am God”

In Hebrew, the word for “Be Still” is raphah, which means to "drop your weapons" or "stop your busyness". It is much more than calming your mind. It is the act of letting go. In my article The Ultimate Guide to Spiritual Meditation, I dive deeper into this subject.

The Clift notes version is, that creative meditation acts as a tool to “unfocus” the chaotic parts of your brain. As the “mental fog” lifts through the act of creating, the cloud between you and God clears, allowing you to see the “stepping stones” of mercy He has placed in your path.

So, I challenge you to slow down and unfocus your mind through creativity. It can be doodling, coloring, painting, woodworking … whatever suits you best.

If you are looking for a guide to put you in a spiritual mindset, check out my 52-week Coloring Meditation Journal, Rooted and Blooming.