Feeling stressed? Make art!

February 2, 2021

While tolerance to stress is individual, situations such as Lockdown can be challenging for most of us. There are lots of effective ways to relieve stress, exercise, yoga, music, and time outdoors, all offer stress-relieving potential. But arts and crafts offer some unique advantages and engaging in creative self-expression, is a powerful mindfulness tool.

Here are a few ways in which creative self-expression activities can help manage and release stress:

Drawing and the relaxation response

Grab a pencil. The rhythmic and repetitive motion of drawing helps synchronise hand and eye, body and mind. Give the one line, one breath method a try: Inhale normally, and as you exhale make one continuous line on a page. Aim to keep each line in close proximity to the one before as this enhances your need for focus. And if you change the colour of the pencil or marker every so often you can end up with really gorgeous patterns.

Being present

Stress can be accentuated by ruminating over past events or worrying about the future. Visual art can act as a mindfulness tool by providing a focus for sensory perception in the here and now. Colouring in, sculpting in play doh, embroidery all support us to connect with our senses, slowing down our attention and pulling our focus into the present.

Reframing: creating visual stories

Reframing (or looking at a problem from a new perspective) can lower stress levels by changing our perception of the issue at hand. Translating a problem into visual form is a powerful way to reframe it and to see it in a new light. Re-imagining our situation through the use of drawing or collage stories is one way of doing this. We can even do this with toys, creating a theatre of our concerns and constructing new or preferred solution focussed endings.

Enjoying ourselves

Finally, taking time out to enjoy ourselves is crucial as it helps us exit the vicious cycle of stress and anxiety. Creative self-expression can help us regain our sense of play as we delight in colour or experiment with new materials.

All of these activities can be done on your own, or with the kids. You might even make family works of art where everyone contributes elements. It can be a great way to get insight into others experiences and may even be a great conversation starter.

Michelle Saleeba Psychology
Subiaco | Mullaloo | Outdoors | Online
Evidence-based therapy for adults seeking clarity, resilience, and renewal