Los Angeles, California Dec 30, 2025 (Issuewire.com) - Valicia Evans is drawing attention to how a bigger national issue, rising stress and declining wellbeing, is showing up at the local level in Los Angeles. Evans is urging residents and small businesses to treat creativity as a simple, realistic tool for resetting mood, improving focus, and strengthening community connection.

Design is not just about how things look, Evans said. Its about how people feel when they walk into a space. Everyone has the ability to create that feeling, at home, at work, or anywhere they gather.

Local pressure, local consequences
In Los Angeles, stress does not stay abstract. It shows up as burnout, disconnection, and people feeling stuck in routines that leave little room for rest or joy. It also shows up in the numbers: Los Angeles County reports 12.4% of adults have diagnosed depression, and the county suicide rate is 8.6 deaths per 100,000 people.

People think they need a big plan to feel better, Evans said. 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 points to a mix of national and regional signals that help explain why small creative habits can be a practical starting point:

• Los Angeles County adults with diagnosed depression: 12.4%.
• Los Angeles County suicide rate: 8.6 deaths per 100,000.
• Harris County (Houston area) frequent mental distress: 13.1%, a reminder that this pressure follows people across major metros, including places Evans calls home as a Houston native now based in Los Angeles.
• National stress signal: The American Psychological Association reports 76% of adults experienced health impacts from stress last year.
• Research cited in Evanss feature notes a Stanford study found walking can boost creative thinking by up to 60%, reinforcing why small, low-cost habits are worth trying in a city built around movement and neighborhoods.

When people change something simple, like moving a chair, cooking a new recipe, or adjusting lighting, they feel different, Evans said. Ive seen entire rooms come alive with one change. And people come alive with it.

Local action list: 10 steps residents and small businesses can take in Los Angeles

Evans is encouraging people to pick one step and do it this week:

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• Do a five-minute space reset at home: clear one surface, move one item, improve one light source.
• Walk one neighborhood block without headphones once a day and notice colors, textures, signage, and small details.
• Cook one simple recipe you have never made before, then share it with one person or neighbor.
• Start a tiny ideas notebook for sketches, meal ideas, phrases, or observations, no quality bar.
• Build a small ritual: a candle, a morning drink, or a five-minute end-of-day creative task.
• Create one quiet hour each week with no phone and no email, then do something tactile (tidy, prep food, rearrange).
• If you run a small business, improve one customer-facing detail this week: lighting, signage clarity, seating flow, or menu readability.
• Host a low-lift connection moment: a 20-minute team meal, a mini potluck, or a simple end-of-week gathering.
• Create a calm corner at work or at home: one chair, one lamp, one rule (no screens for 10 minutes).
• Share the habit, not the highlight: invite one person to do the same small step, then check in after a week.

How to find reliable local help in Los Angeles

If someone needs more than a self-guided reset, Evans encourages people to look for support that is credible, local, and specific:

• Start with local public resources: county and city health departments, community clinics, and library or community center programs.
• Verify qualifications: licenses, clear scope of service, transparent pricing, and documented policies.
• Avoid pressure tactics: be cautious of anyone pushing urgency, guarantees, or one-size-fits-all programs.
• Ask for fit, not hype: Who is this best for, and who is this not for?
• Use two-step validation: check reviews, then confirm details directly in writing before paying.

Creativity doesnt have to be big or fancy, Evans said. It can be simple, calming, and grounding.

Evans is asking Los Angeles residents and small business owners to take one local step this week: choose one item from the action list, do it once, and share it with one other person.

You dont have to change your whole life, Evans said. Just change one tiny thing today. Creativity grows from small steps.

About Valicia Evans
Valicia Evans is a Los Angeles-based interior designer, production designer, and event professional. A Houston native, she has more than two decades of experience across design, television, and event work, and she is the co-creator and host of Vs Vittles and Vibes, a lifestyle and cooking series set to premiere in 2026.