Using art to de-stress

As I mentioned in earlier blog posts, I have been overworked, but now I am feeling just fine. I think that one reason for this is that I already had art in my life, and I could easily use it to de-stress. To give yourself permission to be totally concentrated on what you are creating is a powerful kind of mindfullness, meditation and total concentration.

But art as a tool for de-stressing is not only for artists. I think that everyone can use it. Click on the links below to read more.

Assessing Stress Reduction as a Function of Artistic Creation and Cognitive Focus (Art Therapy: Journal of the American Art Therapy Association, 25(4) pp. 164-169 © AATA, Inc. 2008)

About Health has an interesting article Art Therapy: Relieve Stress By Being Creactive. Among the benefits of art therapy are distraction, flow and self-care.

Huffington Post shows some great Art Therapy Techniques.

You do not have to be an artist to enjoy the benefits of art therapy. In fact, most of the exercises rely not on the final product you create but on the therapeutic, meditative ritual of the creative process. If you’re intrigued by the process of relaxation through artistic imagination, we’ve compiled a starter kit to get you on your way.

The following 10 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 equivalent of a long, hot bath.

(Huffington Post)