Start with art, to relax and heal.
Let’s start with art, to help you relax and heal. You do not have to be an artist to enjoy the benefits of art. In fact, most of it relies not on the final product you create. It is more about letting you focus on your inner experience, encourages creativity and self-expression as vehicles to reduce stress, improve self-esteem, increase awareness, and help remedy trauma. You are intrigued by the process of relaxation through your own perceptions, artistic imagination, and feelings.
Start art exercise for relaxation
By this, we are taking out time to care, laugh, and live in the present, with a greater sense of empathy. You are encouraged to create art that expresses your inner world more than making something that is an expression of the outer world.
In the time of this pandemic, let’s stay connected with what we love and ourselves. It is time to pick up that painting brush, take out those instruments, or put your dancing shoes on. We have been presented with an opportunity to reconnect with humanity and ourselves once again.
Art acts as a way to activate emotions, memories, and gestalts or symbols. It has proven to be a simple, affordable, and effective way to improve human health and wellbeing. People have used art and observation to deal with stress, cope with trauma, and improve self-awareness and self-esteem.
It is a meaningful and beautiful medium to express what is happening within, in context to what was happening outside and vice versa too. Empathy, of course, lies at its core; a tool that is much valued to find solutions in every sphere of life. Empathy is also the first and the most important step of design thinking as well.
Creative expressive help as a coping strategy, increase self-esteem and self-efficacy, deal with a negative mood or thought. Soon will start feeling positive about yourself. Emotional balanced through the art of being Mindfulness and expressive.
I have compiled a starter kit to get you on your way.
If you think your paintings are too tight and controlled. This collection of tips and techniques to try should help you work in a looser style.
For more reference on how I do it myself, Please checkout @designs_by_payal will be putting up my own artwork as well
To begin with first and foremost to remember: Think of a happy moment from your memory lane. Brush it out whatever pattern, style, foam you are comfortable in. Don’t forget to repeat. Repetition is KEY. Trick the brain to function. Keep sending a happy signal straight up to the brain. Keep playing, enjoy the moment. Breathe relax. Don’t forget to smile while doing your amazing mindful art.
Lie down and close your eyes.
Visualize your body as you breathe in and out. Try to imagine your breath as a particular color as it enters your body, another color as it exists. What do you see? Draw an outline of a body on a large sheet of paper, and inside, create a watercolor based on your bodily state. Think about what these colors mean to you, where they are densest, where they are most opaque. Think of this as the most relaxing self-portrait you’ll ever create
Draw or paint your emotions.
you’ll focus on painting, drawing, scribbling, coloring what you’re feeling. enjoy
Use line art.
The line is one of the simplest and most basic aspects of art, but it can also contain a lot of emotion. Use simple line art to help show how you’re feeling.
Only use colors that calm you.
Create a drawing or a painting using only colors that you find calming. Tip: try color combinations too.
Create an emotion wheel.
Using color will have you thinking about your emotions.
Create an expressive self-portrait.
Paint in expressive colors. Select colors for emotional impact.
Draw yourself as an animal.
Is there an animal that you have a special interest in or feel like is a kindred spirit? Draw yourself as that animal.
Use your body as a canvas
You don’t need paper when you have your body. Paint on your hands and feet or anywhere else to feel more in touch with yourself.
Make a meditative painting.
Looking for a creative way to relax? Have trouble sitting still to meditate? Meditative painting might be the thing you’re looking for. No painting skill or experience necessary – only a desire to relax and become more creative.
Don’t follow the rules.
Everyone’s different, so do what feels right for you. You may prefer to scribble indoors, in your garden, or whilst having a bath (warning: it’s wet in there). Whatever you choose to do and wherever you go, I hope you find some peace of mind – or if not, enjoy a piece of cake instead.
Don’t allow yourself to judge your work.
The following suggestions are simple ways to explore your inner creative voice while turning off the negative influences that so often get in the way. They may not all work for you, but hopefully one or more of the following techniques will serve as the artistic equal of a long, hot bath.
@designs_by_payal Here are some of my other drawings. I hope you enjoy looking at them. If you like them and want to share them on social media don’t forget to tag me, Please do give it try and tag me along would love to see your beautiful artwork- thanks!
For more enjoyable art techniques for non-artists, check out my social handle @designs_by_payal.
No one is perfect – that’s why pencils have erasers.
Stay healthy, Stay positive.
