There is no doubt in saying that stress is an every day feature of life. But that does not mean we cannot do anything about it. Aside from facing trials we are confronted with head on, it is also equally important for us to de-stress and decompress, and one of the best ways to do that is with art!
Art therapy involves creativity and self-expression in reducing stress. Finding therapeutic effects through art is also encouraged as it is also known to boost self-esteem, increase awareness and help in trauma recovery. It's something that's not only good for the heart, but also for the soul.
So, how to get started with art therapy? We have 7 simple and neat suggestions you can give a go below.
Art therapy involves creativity and self-expression in reducing stress. Finding therapeutic effects through art is also encouraged as it is also known to boost self-esteem, increase awareness and help in trauma recovery. It's something that's not only good for the heart, but also for the soul.
So, how to get started with art therapy? We have 7 simple and neat suggestions you can give a go below.
Design a postcard
Whether you intend to send it or not, creating a postcard complete with your personalized art and message is a fantastic way to release some tension in your mind and body.
Writing is also therapeutic as psychologists would say. If there are things you want to confess, an angry rant you want to get off your chest or a secret you want to admit (at least into writing), you can do that exactly with a postcard.
Take out your coloring materials and some blank cards and start getting creative! Designing your postcard can also help relax the different portions of your brain similar to making doodles or coloring a coloring book.
Writing is also therapeutic as psychologists would say. If there are things you want to confess, an angry rant you want to get off your chest or a secret you want to admit (at least into writing), you can do that exactly with a postcard.
Take out your coloring materials and some blank cards and start getting creative! Designing your postcard can also help relax the different portions of your brain similar to making doodles or coloring a coloring book.
Start collaging
If you are game for some abstract art, then you'll love making collages as a form of stress and art expression as well.
Create a painting on any material that you wish like a card board, an illustration board or simply a piece of paper. Be as random with the strokes and forms as you want and once you're done with it, tear it up! Use these torn up pieces as the building blocks of your collage.
Sometimes, when you allow yourself to be unpredictable and simply go with the flow, that's when we normally find ourselves creating something new and exciting. Making collages is an art exercise that underlines the connection between creation and destruction, which in turn encourages us to take risks, to push ourselves creatively and in all other aspects of our life.
Create a painting on any material that you wish like a card board, an illustration board or simply a piece of paper. Be as random with the strokes and forms as you want and once you're done with it, tear it up! Use these torn up pieces as the building blocks of your collage.
Sometimes, when you allow yourself to be unpredictable and simply go with the flow, that's when we normally find ourselves creating something new and exciting. Making collages is an art exercise that underlines the connection between creation and destruction, which in turn encourages us to take risks, to push ourselves creatively and in all other aspects of our life.
Create some thank you cards
Life situations can get way too tensed. And when you find yourself in moments like these, don't forget the power of gratitude to ease your troubled mind and heart.
Create gratitude cards! Focus on words and thoughts of gratitude that you want to address to people around you who have helped you during your hard and trying times. Whether you have already given thanks to that person face to face, a simple yet thoughtful thank you card will still go a long way. It shows that they have made a lasting impact in your life.
Get bold and creative with your thank you cards as well! Blank index cards, some paint and a thoughtful message should be all easy to make when spoken from the heart.
Create gratitude cards! Focus on words and thoughts of gratitude that you want to address to people around you who have helped you during your hard and trying times. Whether you have already given thanks to that person face to face, a simple yet thoughtful thank you card will still go a long way. It shows that they have made a lasting impact in your life.
Get bold and creative with your thank you cards as well! Blank index cards, some paint and a thoughtful message should be all easy to make when spoken from the heart.
Draw while listening to music
Music is art and it is also one of those things that feed and move our soul. While energizing and relaxing to music, try recreating the rhythm by moving a pen or pencil to a paper.
Whenever your hear sudden sharp notes, it may prompt you to draw bold lines or lines with jagged edges. If the music you are listening to is filled with soft melodies, then it might encourage you to draw some soft waves on paper.
They say listening to instrumental music is more effective in stress management than listening to music with lyrics. The mind is less distracted and allows the free flow of relaxation in the mind.
Try this exercise without any expectation or restraint. You might be surprised at the lightness in feeling you will feel after.
Whenever your hear sudden sharp notes, it may prompt you to draw bold lines or lines with jagged edges. If the music you are listening to is filled with soft melodies, then it might encourage you to draw some soft waves on paper.
They say listening to instrumental music is more effective in stress management than listening to music with lyrics. The mind is less distracted and allows the free flow of relaxation in the mind.
Try this exercise without any expectation or restraint. You might be surprised at the lightness in feeling you will feel after.
Bring to life your source of motivation
What is that inspirational or motivational quote that you live by?
The internet is filled with magnetic words and phrases that magically summarizes how we feel.
To remind you of the good in your life during those troubled times, why not bring that motivational message to life and display it where you can easily see it? When you need something to lift your spirits up, a quick glance at that motivational message will surely help inspire, lift your spirits and calm you down.
Create posters for it out of card boards, illustration boards, canvases and paint. You can even use simple, generic words in place of a phrase if you want to keep your art simple and quick to do.
The internet is filled with magnetic words and phrases that magically summarizes how we feel.
To remind you of the good in your life during those troubled times, why not bring that motivational message to life and display it where you can easily see it? When you need something to lift your spirits up, a quick glance at that motivational message will surely help inspire, lift your spirits and calm you down.
Create posters for it out of card boards, illustration boards, canvases and paint. You can even use simple, generic words in place of a phrase if you want to keep your art simple and quick to do.
Take your word of affirmation everywhere you go
Love. Believe. Enjoy. Create. Optimism.
Whatever your word of affirmation is, take it everywhere with you. Unleash your creativity as to where you will place your word of affirmation on. It can be a keychain, a screenprinted t-shirt or even a piece of jewelry you created and decorated yourself.
Your choice of medium is limitless too! If you are needing some inspiration as to where to begin, try visiting a local craft store or attend an art class. It's a good place to start to get those creative juices flowing.
Whatever your word of affirmation is, take it everywhere with you. Unleash your creativity as to where you will place your word of affirmation on. It can be a keychain, a screenprinted t-shirt or even a piece of jewelry you created and decorated yourself.
Your choice of medium is limitless too! If you are needing some inspiration as to where to begin, try visiting a local craft store or attend an art class. It's a good place to start to get those creative juices flowing.
Create abstraction
Release whatever stress or negativity that's slowly eating up in your life. Abstract art using a blank canvas and a splash of paint is a great way to express your emotions. Do not be bound by any rules, go ahead and go outside the lines and just paint your way from the heart.
As the great Pablo Picasso once said, "Art washes from the soul the dust of everyday life.”
Are you in need of an art-filled de-stressing session? Join us in our art classes here at Art Smart!
Trial art sessions (good for an hour) are for PHP 800! Learn tons of basic to advanced art techniques! Enroll in our year-round art classes too by referencing our schedule below. Classes are open to both kids and adults at least 4.5 years old and up.
As the great Pablo Picasso once said, "Art washes from the soul the dust of everyday life.”
Are you in need of an art-filled de-stressing session? Join us in our art classes here at Art Smart!
Trial art sessions (good for an hour) are for PHP 800! Learn tons of basic to advanced art techniques! Enroll in our year-round art classes too by referencing our schedule below. Classes are open to both kids and adults at least 4.5 years old and up.
For inquiries that you may have, please do send us a message at 0915-5948191, 0917-8784766 or (02)7886766.
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