Creativity, Play, and Joy as Wellbeing Strategies
Sometimes the most impactful wellbeing practices are the ones that feel simple, playful, and easy to access.
In this episode, Peichi Waite shows how creativity can help people reconnect with joy, reduce barriers to participation, and build a greater sense of belonging.
In the first episode of our new Wellbeing in Action series, Chase Sterling speaks with Peichi Waite, founding director of Scarlet Arts Rx at Rutgers University, New Brunswick.
Their conversation explores how art, creative expression, and play can support wellbeing by creating space for joy, connection, reflection, and stress relief. Peichi shares how Scarlet Arts Rx brings creative wellbeing experiences directly to students through collaborations across campus, including dining services, gardens, aquatics, student organizations, and academic departments.
Why We Love It
We love this episode because it makes creativity feel accessible.
So often, wellbeing efforts can become overly formal, clinical, or complicated. This conversation reminds us that wellbeing can also happen through simple, human experiences: making something with your hands, noticing color on a walk, engaging in playful activities, or connecting with others in a nonjudgmental space.
Peichi also offers an important reminder for workplace wellbeing leaders: people do not always need another program to attend. Sometimes they need fewer barriers, more permission, and an invitation that feels easy to say yes to.
Why It Matters for Workplaces
Art and play are not just “extras.” They can support connection, emotional regulation, creativity, and a greater sense of belonging. For employers, this does not have to mean launching a large-scale initiative. It might begin with inviting employees to share creative talents, offering a low-pressure activity during the workday, or encouraging small practices that help people pause and reconnect.
One simple idea from the episode is a “color walk.” Choose one color for the day and notice where it appears in your environment. It’s a small practice, but it can help shift attention, spark curiosity, and create a moment of joy.
Listen to the Episode
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