Designer Valicia Evans Advocates for Everyday Creativity to Combat Stress and Improve Wellbeing

Acclaimed designer and event professional Valicia Evans is emphasizing the critical role of everyday creativity in improving mental wellbeing, productivity, and emotional connection, pointing to scientific research that supports these benefits. With stress levels rising across the United States, Evans argues that simple creative practices offer an accessible solution to widespread mental health challenges.

According to the Journal of Positive Psychology, people who engage in small creative tasks experience higher levels of positive emotion the following day. A Stanford study also found that walking—a simple form of creative stimulation—boosts creative thinking by up to 60%. Evans, known for her work on television productions including Family Time and Love That Girl, says these findings validate what she observes in her design work: "When people change something simple—like moving a chair, cooking a new recipe, or adjusting lighting—they feel different. I've seen entire rooms come alive with one change. And people come alive with it."

The American Psychological Association reports that 76% of adults experienced health impacts from stress last year, including anxiety, fatigue, and lack of motivation. Evans believes creativity provides an immediate, practical response to this crisis. "People think they need a big plan to feel better," she explains. "But you can start with something small. Change your space. Try something new. Follow one curious idea. Those little sparks make a bigger difference than people realize."

Evans shared her personal creative habits during a recent interview, including setting aside "quiet hours" without digital devices, periodically reworking parts of her home, and using cooking as a grounding practice. "I'll chop vegetables until my mind slows down," she said. "Cooking reminds me that creativity doesn't have to be big or fancy. It can be simple, calming, and grounding." She emphasizes that creativity requires no special training or resources: "You don't need a studio or supplies. You can start with whatever you already have. Your home, your kitchen, even your commute—there's room for creativity everywhere."

Evans encourages individuals, families, and workplaces to incorporate small creative practices into daily routines. Her suggestions include rearranging one part of your space each month, trying one new recipe weekly, walking without headphones for five minutes daily, keeping a notebook for ideas and observations, and building small rituals that spark joy. "You don't have to change your whole life," Evans says. "Just change one tiny thing today. Creativity grows from small steps."

The designer's upcoming lifestyle and cooking series, V's Vittles and Vibes, premieres in 2026 and will blend food, design, and storytelling to demonstrate these principles in action. Evans positions creativity not as a luxury or professional skill but as an essential life skill that anyone can develop through consistent, simple practices that transform daily experience and combat the negative effects of modern stress.