JustBreathe

a magazine by HEALING HOTELS OF THE WORLD

  • Body
    • Health
    • Ayurveda
    • Detox
    • Anti-Stress
    • Beauty
    • Healing Water
    • Graceful Aging
    • Weight Loss
    • Fitness
    • Sleep
  • Mind
    • New Consciousness
    • Mindfulness
    • Meditation
    • Yoga
  • Soul
    • Spirituality
    • Food for Your Soul
    • Me-Time
  • Life
    • Holistic Lifestyle
    • Inspirational Podcasts
    • Inspiring People
    • Green Living
    • Charity
    • Design
  • Food
    • Nutrition
    • Recipes
  • Healing Hotels
Close
JustBreathe
Close
  • Body
    • Health
    • Ayurveda
    • Detox
    • Anti-Stress
    • Beauty
    • Healing Water
    • Graceful Aging
    • Weight Loss
    • Fitness
    • Sleep
  • Mind
    • New Consciousness
    • Mindfulness
    • Meditation
    • Yoga
  • Soul
    • Spirituality
    • Food for Your Soul
    • Me-Time
  • Life
    • Holistic Lifestyle
    • Inspirational Podcasts
    • Inspiring People
    • Green Living
    • Charity
    • Design
  • Food
    • Nutrition
    • Recipes
  • Healing Hotels

Channel Your Stress With Creative Art Therapy

Anti-Stress, Body November 14, 2018 Olivia Parker
Channel Your Stress With Creative Art Therapy

© Estee Janssens

Work and family, social obligations and health problems all take their toll. You’re busy. We get it! It can be hard to start a new hobby or carve out some me time in your hectic schedule.

Nurturing your creativity can reduce the stress in your life.

Personal growth and achievement are necessary, though. Using art as personal therapy is an excellent outlet that has been practiced as a recognized therapeutic discipline for over 50 years. However, only recently has it emerged as a popular and well-known social option for stress relief.

 

Why Art?

Hospitals around the country now recognize the soothing benefits of art therapy. It has many proven effects on stress, anxiety and depression such as:

  • Deep satisfaction through completing a project.
  • Joy from self-expression.
  • Socialization when performed in a group setting.
  • Peace and introspection when performed alone.

Using the brain creatively releases endorphins, relaxes the body and calms the mind.

Focusing on a creative project allows the mind, body and spirit to unwind as you become fully immersed in the activity, leaving you much less stressed when you are done.

You don’t have to be artistically talented to benefit from the soothing effects of art. Research shows that anyone can benefit, and studies show engaging in art lowers the stress hormone cortisol.

While art is an expression of life, it can also provide a pleasurable and healing haven from life’s challenges.

 

Creative Therapy Ideas

Painting, Sketching and Drawing

Adult coloring books have become a modern phenomenon — and for good reason. Coloring can invoke the happier times of childhood when we had fewer responsibilities, and it can be very cathartic. Coloring also enhances focus and concentration, so you are fully engaged in the activity.

drawing as art therapy

Paint parties in a group setting have become increasingly common. These take place in restaurants, studios and even home settings, and they’re a great opportunity for socialization and creative release. Painting is a source of relaxation and self-expression that provides a break from the daily grind.

Keep a diary sketchbook or an art journal. Whether you prefer doodling or drawing, a sketchbook diary offers a wonderful way to de-stress and sort through your complicated emotions by putting your thoughts on paper.

 

Music, Dance and Drama

Expressive art of this type is a well-known therapeutic technique. Playing musical instruments, singing, dancing and acting are all creative outlets that release endorphins and reduce stress.

Music therapy is used widely in hospitals to complement the healing process.

If you aren’t already skilled in one of these areas, you can find classes at your local community theater group, a local music store or consider online instruction for a private lesson. Physical activity such as dancing can diminish stress and depression.

Drama provides a theatrical platform to express your feelings and solve problems through role-playing, storytelling, puppetry and more. If acting isn’t your thing, you can help decorate stage sets, sew costumes or design programs as an outlet for your creativity and an avenue for involvement in this special community.

 

Writing and Reading

reading as creative therapy

Writing forces you to unplug and recharge. Organizing your thoughts helps to facilitate problem-solving and reduces stress — but most of all it is empowering. Writing about your daily life in a journal or a poem can help you gain perspective on your experiences.

Studying the various poetry forms can be a great start to this creative outlet but remember that poetry doesn’t have to rhyme. Haiku and free verse are both non-rhyming types of poetry that allow you to express yourself easily.

If you aren’t quite ready to cut your teeth in writing, consider the art of reading. The traditional pleasures of reading involve solitude and contemplation but joining a book club can make it a social event. Barnes and Noble’s national book club can help get your creative juices flowing while you make some great new friends.

 

Textiles

These techniques have been used for centuries, both out of necessity and as expressions of art.

Knitting, cross stitch, sewing and other forms of needlework are popular art forms.

Pillows, clothing, blankets and accessories such as scarves or hats are fun, useful items to produce. Guidebooks, materials and instructional videos are all available online, and fabric stores offer classes throughout the year for all skill levels.

Another favorite type of textile art is pottery and the clay arts. Working with clay, mud and earthenware can be a messy and fun way to relieve stress. Like painting parties, pottery classes are a social way to engage with others, and your creations will make fabulous gifts!

 

Bead Work and Jewelry Making

Creating new things and watching beauty emerge from your efforts are fulfilling results you can achieve when working with beads. Jewelry making is one of the most popular stress-relieving art forms available. Projects can be small or large, simple or elaborate.

Beads can be fashioned into creative and artistic pieces that express who you are and how you’re feeling.

You can buy beads online or in stores. Many forms of beads are available, which means there’s something for every taste. Gemstone beads, precious metals, large, small or eccentric.

Thorough and creative tutorials can be found online for both those who are just getting started as well as seasoned pros who are looking for new ideas.

 

Photography

Photography as art is a way to focus on the beauty in every situation — and don’t forget that everyone defines beauty differently.

photography

Landscapes, animals, water and sunsets are all popular photography forms. However, photographing whatever is beautiful to you is an excellent way to express yourself and release your creativity.

Gothic photography is growing in popularity, as is photographing people in real, everyday situations, no matter how heart-wrenching.

You don’t need an expensive camera to fulfill your photography urge. However, a few lessons on lighting, exposure and shutter speed can be found easily online and will help you improve your craft.

 

Final Thoughts

Channeling your stress into a creative outlet is a proven method of managing your anxiety and bringing balance into your life.

There’s a form of art to fulfill every need — be it solitude, expression, community or growth. Art benefits us all.

 

Tags: art therapy stress stress relief

Leave A Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Food for Your Soul – A Column

Transcending the Mind Chatter Part 2: Holding Space for “Me & Myself”

Being able to pause and to look inwards will eventually help transcending the mind chatter to bring forth deep personal transformation. Read more →

Transcending the Mind Chatter

Our minds chatter can be quite tricky and has a tendency to guide us into the wrong direction. How can we learn to not take it too seriously? Read more →

Awakening to The Truth Can be Painful

What does it mean to live your inner truth and steer through difficult phases? Claudia shows us the way by sharing a deeply personal story. Read more →

Newsletter Signup

* indicates required

Trending:

Recent tweets

August 2, 2022 10:07 am"A friend is someone who gives you total freedom to be yourself – and especially to feel, or not feel. Whatever you… https://t.co/K0ufZyNETK
July 27, 2022 13:07 pmToday's article by SensitivE Audit explains how Frequency-Wave Imprinting works and how it can benefit your health.… https://t.co/UG9je0cMHc
July 26, 2022 08:11 am✨💙 Today's article by @SoulLuxury1 reflects on how to rise above that negative mind chatter to practice self-accept… https://t.co/WdU7rros4t
July 22, 2022 11:31 amIt's really that simple. Ultimately we must find peace within ourselves first. ♥️ #JustBreatheMag #JustBreathe… https://t.co/AVkmxqMZrb
July 18, 2022 10:31 amRT @Healingsummit: Since its launch in 2014, the global HEALING SUMMIT has turned into a space for reflection, re-connection and renewal.…

Follow us on Twitter →

justbreathemag

justbreathemag
We have arrived at a conjuncture in human evolutio We have arrived at a conjuncture in human evolution where life is anything but stable. Life is rocky and full of twists and turns, pain and suffering. 

Hope for the future is being replaced by one crisis after another. Often we feel tired and exhausted as we can no longer see an end to continuous change and emotional suffering. Is this relatable? 

✨There's no need to feel hopeless. It is actually during our troubled times that we have the greatest opportunity to face what we need to face in order to integrate and transcend in the name of self-growth and inner freedom. An opportunity to transcend the mind chatter and hold sacred space for YOU. Today's article (link in bio) by @soul.luxury @claudiaroth explores how to achieve this empowering state of mind.

#JustBreatheMag #JustBreathe #Healing #Wellbeing #ConsciousLiving #Happiness #TreatYourself #TakeCare #Selfcare #BodyMind #Holistic #Life #Live #Positivity #Mindset #Lifestyle #LifeIsGood #HealthyLifestyle #HappinessIsAChoice #InnerPeace #Peace #Calm #Stress #Burnout
Did you know? The three primary parts of our body Did you know? The three primary parts of our body are the shoulder, back and ankles - and our mobility and flexibility depends on these.

For example, the shoulder is exposed to a tremendous amount of motion and is vital for increased upper body strength.

It is essential to exercise correctly to avoid joint pain. Today's article (link in bio) highlights ankle, shoulder and back exercises that your body will thank you for. 

#JustBreatheMag #JustBreathe #Healing #Wellbeing #ConsciousLiving #Happiness #TreatYourself #TakeCare #Selfcare #BodyMind #Holistic #Life #Live #Positivity #Mindset #Lifestyle #LifeIsGood #HealthyLifestyle #HappinessIsAChoice #Fitness #Stretching #Body #Exercise #Fit #Gym
Could the mind help you to manage pain? Absolutel Could the mind help you to manage pain?

Absolutely. Meditation can be a powerful relaxation tool, helping to combat, for example, the intense pain of a hernia injury or a chronic backache.

Your meditation sessions may take the form of contemplating the good things in your life, rewiring your brain for positivity. It will also put you in a deeply relaxed state. 

Pain is a response to danger, whereas relaxation suggests that there is none. So if you’re in this state, much of the mental experience of pain will be diminished.

đź’™Today's article (link in bio) highlights other natural approaches to pain management. 

#JustBreatheMag #JustBreathe #Healing #Wellbeing #ConsciousLiving #Happiness #TreatYourself #TakeCare #Selfcare #BodyMind #Holistic #Life #Live #Positivity #Mindset #Lifestyle #LifeIsGood #HealthyLifestyle #HappinessIsAChoice #Pain #PainManagement
Do crystals help you on your healing journey? đź’  Do crystals help you on your healing journey? đź’ 

There are thought to be seven chakra points in the body representing the major energy centers and these can become blocked by illness, stress and emotional pain. 

Crystal healers believe each chakra has its own color and vibratory rate. By laying the correct crystals at the appropriate chakra point on the body, the intent of the healer and the energy and vibration of the crystal will combine to create a slight energy shift; unblocking the chakra and releasing the energy...

Today's article (link in bio) delves further into crystal healing and explains how to pick the right crystals for your purpose. 

#JustBreatheMag #JustBreathe #Healing #Wellbeing #ConsciousLiving #Happiness #TreatYourself #TakeCare #Selfcare #BodyMind #Holistic #Life #Live #Positivity #Mindset #Lifestyle #LifeIsGood #HealthyLifestyle #HappinessIsAChoice #Crystals #Healing #Chakra
In the wake of trauma, we can be stuck in the figh In the wake of trauma, we can be stuck in the fight or flight reactivity and suffer from post-traumatic stress, including sleeplessness, nightmares, depression, anxiety and fear. 

But it doesn't have to be this way. 

✨There is a way to claim your power back and today's moving article by @trustingthedawn2022 explains how (link in bio), with the author sharing how she was able to move on from the trauma she experienced during a death experience in the Montecito Mudslide. 

#JustBreatheMag #JustBreathe #Healing #Wellbeing #ConsciousLiving #Happiness #TreatYourself #TakeCare #Selfcare #BodyMind #Holistic #Life #Live #Positivity #Mindset #Lifestyle #LifeIsGood #HealthyLifestyle #HappinessIsAChoice #Thinking #Think #Thoughts #Quote #Trauma #Strong #power
Load More... Follow on Instagram

About JustBreatheMag

Just Breathe is an online magazine that was created to change minds, habits and hearts on the most important and current topics: health and wellbeing.

Powered by

Healing Hotels of the World Logo

Popular Tags

ageing anxiety Ayurveda balance beauty breath charity consciousness coronavirus detox diet DIY fear Fitness five elements gratitude happiness healing Healing Hotels HEALING SUMMIT health healthy nutrition inspiration intention Life lifestyle me-time Meditation mental health mindfulness new year nutrition podcast recipe self-love self care sleep spirituality stress sustainability transformation Travel weight loss wellbeing yoga

Behind the Scenes

  • Article Submission
  • About Us
  • Contact

Newsletter Signup

* indicates required
Legal Info | Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Cookie Settings