With a global pandemic and great social revolution underway, it is crucial to have a creative meditation practice to stay calm and centered—and to remain strong and dynamically vibrant. We are collectively in survival mode, a fight or flight response. Being in a state of constant emergency stresses the immune system and puts us at risk emotionally, physically, and psychologically. Fear responses strain our relationships, too, which in quarantine days is really not ideal. Nor does a sense of panic help when we feel isolated at home. So, what do we do with all this excess nervous energy? What can you personally do so that you don’t have to feel stressed out all the time?
[Read more…] about A Different Way of Meditating: Stream Draw Your Way Through the Pandemic
Art and Mental Health
There’s no denying that art can enhance the ambiance of a room or add a pop of color to your decor, but did you know that art has a significant impact on your mental wellbeing as well? That’s right! Whether you embark on the journey of creating a work of art or you simply take a trip to the local museum, the benefits of art are endless.
For instance, children who visited an art museum experienced a 9-18% increase in critical thinking skills, simply by viewing the craft. On a similar note, when people look at art, their brains release dopamine, triggering a response of love and pleasure, making them happier! [Read more…] about Art and Mental Health
Should You Buy Into the Adult Coloring Book Craze?
Adult coloring books have been around for a long time, but it wasn’t till around 2012-2013 that they became commercially successful. 2015, however, was the year the adult coloring book craze spread all over the world.
Did you know that about 12 million adult coloring books were sold last year? 12 million! And it doesn’t look it’s going to stop any time soon.
What happened? Why are people suddenly buying into the adult coloring book craze? [Read more…] about Should You Buy Into the Adult Coloring Book Craze?
Painting What You Feel
Art Therapy is the combination of art, counselling and psychology. Using art as a creative tool one is able to express what they feel easily, which speeds up the healing process. Creative Expression also utilizes art to heal, but a little different. The Health Education Authority’s description of mental health is , “Mental health is the emotional and spiritual resilience which allows us to enjoy life and to survive pain, disappointment and sadness. It is a positive and sense of well being and an underlying belief in own and other’s dignity and worth” (Oliver, 2007). This definition exemplifies what creative expression offers to its participants. Creative expression is the art of creating what you feel and articulating your personal traumatic experiences when words cannot be verbally expressed.
