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

Let’s Talk About Death: Being on a Journey of Love and Loss

Claudia shares her thoughts on the sacredness of death and the importance of discussing death to overcome the fear and taboo surrounding it. Read more →

Making Resistance Your Friend

Inner resistance can be a powerful tool for inner growth and self exploration. Because we can only learn from deep self reflection. Read more →

Don’t Play Small

To give oneself permission to be ones true self is harder than it sounds. But if you manage to do so, the award in simply beautiful. Read more →

Newsletter Signup

* indicates required

justbreathemag

justbreathemag
Where do you find beauty? Ocean, mountains. forest Where do you find beauty? Ocean, mountains. forest, or something else? 🌊🌲⛰️Let us know in the comments below.#MindBodySoul #JustBreatheMag #HealingNature #Meditation #ConsciousLiving #BurnoutPrevention #MeditationDaily #Selfcare #SoulfulLiving #BePresent #SelfCareMatters #JustBreathe #PositiveVibes #QuoteOfTheDay #InspirationalQuotes #Mindfulness #BodyMind #YogaPractitioner #YogaPracticeDaily #MeditationTime #MeditationPractise #SpiritualHealing #AncientHealing
How to Disconnect From Work During Your Vacation⁠
⁠
Do you find it hard to switch off, even when you are on vacation?⁠
⁠
Many people are over achievers and find it very hard to relax and slow down, even though they understand theoretically that it would be good to do so.⁠
⁠
In today’s article, Erica Saltarelli shares why this is and how to overcome it. (Hint: It’s about embracing the beauty of being rather than doing.)⁠
⁠
Click the link in our bio to read the article.⁠
⁠
⁠
#OverAchievers #BurnoutPrevention #JustBreatheMagazine  #BurnoutRecovery #ConsciousLiving #Meditation #MeditationDaily #JustBreatheMag #Selfcare #Gratitude #SoulfulLiving #JustBreatheMagazine #BePresent #SelfCareMatters #SelfDevelopment #BodyMindSoul #HolisticHealth #JustBreathe #PositiveVibes #GratitudeAttitude
Sleeping With Gratitude 🙏Do you find it hard Sleeping With Gratitude 🙏Do you find it hard to go to sleep sometimes because you’re over thinking and find it hard to let go of thoughts? 🤯What if you could go to sleep with a sense of gratitude and positivity instead?In today’s article, (link in bio), Vicki Morrison is sharing what she does to unwind before going to sleep, including what what she writes in her gratitude journal to end the day on a good note.What is something you are grateful for today? Share in the comments below (and remember to give it a thought before going to sleep tonight)!#JustBreatheMagazine #ConsciousLiving #JustBreathe #BodyMindSoul #Lifestyle #SelfCareMatters #Selfcare #MeditationDaily #Meditation #SelfDevelopment #JustBreatheMag #HealthyLiving #BePresent #SoulfulLiving #HolisticHealth #Gratitude #Grateful #Gratefulness #GratitudeAttitude #PositiveVibes #PositiveEnergy
Sesame Kale CrispsLooking for a yummy yet nutrit Sesame Kale CrispsLooking for a yummy yet nutrition rich snack? Then you should try these Sesame Kale Crisps!We all know kale is one of the most loved superfoods - It’s loaded with vitamins, minerals and gives plenty of health benefits. (You can read more about it in today’s article - link in bio.)To make these kale crisps you will need:
🌱 1 bunch kale, stems removed and leaves torn into 2-inch pieces
🌱 2 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
🌱 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
🌱 1/4 cup sesame seeds
🌱 Sea salt / Himalaya salt
Directions:
🌱 Heat oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit.
🌱 In a large bowl, mix all the ingredients until the kale is evenly coated.
🌱 Transfer to a rimmed baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes.
🌱 Remove from oven and, using a spatula, flip leaves over.
🌱 Return to oven and continue cooking until it is dry and crisp, 20 to 25 minutes more.
🌱 Let cool completely.
🌱 Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Have you ever made your own kale crisps?#KaleCrisps #KaleChips #HealthySnack #HealthyLiving #HealthyEating #RawFood #CleanEating #JustBreatheMagazine #JustBreathe #JustBreatheMag #Health #HolisticHealth #Recipes #RecipeTips #ConsciousLiving #BePresent #SoulfulLiving #BodyMindSoul #SelfCareMatters #Lifestyle #Wellbeing #HealingFood #TreatYourself
Learn How to Meditate - 7 Simple Tips for Everyone Learn How to Meditate - 7 Simple Tips for EveryoneLearning how to meditate can be intimidating. But as with everything: practice makes perfect. In today’s article (link in bio), Lahra Tatriele shares 7 tips that will ease your journey:1. Before you start, put in your mind, “Meditation is attainable for me.” It is not difficult.2. Sit in a relaxed position for your body – on the floor or on a chair.3. Choose an object of focus that makes you feel good, e.g.: breathing, a mandala painting or a photo/image, etc.
Use this as a tool to bring harmony and love to your mind.
Use it as a way to bring about concentration and mindfulness4. Turn your vision inward and observe your breathing.
By observing your breathing, you will calm your mind naturally.
Observe the fickle-mindedness of your mind coming in and fading away, bringing about a steady concentration. Allow your concentration to turn into contemplation and slowly, you will forget about both yourself and any form, effortlessly blossoming into meditation.5. Become a source of love and light.
Once your calm mind is steady, let love permeate within you and around you like a radiant light.6. For healing, gently direct your thoughts to make your body healthy, alleviate your mind of stress, send your love to someone in suffering, etc.
Bring inner wisdom to your mind so that it becomes increasingly harmonious, and use this for healing the body, trauma or others in your life.7. Let go and let spirit in.
If you know how to meditate it will train your mind to become good, full of love – enough to heal yourself and others. Ultimately, there will be no Form, only Atma or soul in union with the Divine.Do you meditate regularly? Please share your experiences and tips in the comments below!#JustBreatheMagazine #HolisticHealth #JustBreathe #SoulfulLiving #BodyMind #ConsciousLiving #YogaPracticeDaily #YogaPractitioner #HealingJourney #Mindfulness #SelfDevelopment #Meditate #Meditation #MeditationPractise #MeditationTime #MeditationDaily #SpiritualHealing
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 gratitude happiness healing Healing Hotels HEALING SUMMIT health healthy nutrition inspiration intention Life lifestyle love 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