The good news is … … … YES
Art Relieves Everyday Stress
Don’t
you find that activities like painting, making models, drawing, gardening and
photography are relaxing and rewarding?
These hobbies can lower your stress levels and leave you feeling
mentally clear and calm.
Why
does this happen?
Creating
art provides a distraction from what you are normally going over in your
head, so it gives the brain a mini-break from your usual thoughts.
When you
get immersed in creative endeavour, you can find yourself
in what’s known as ‘the zone’. This
state focuses your mind and temporarily pushes aside all your worries,
focus on small detail is almost like meditation.
But
aren’t these types of hobbies expensive?
Well
it doesn’t have to be expensive, many of us have a digital camera on our phone,
and some people also have a digital camera. You can just
take a photo of something pretty or that catches your eye each day for a week. Load it onto Instagram or Facebook and wait
for people to like and comment. Making
other people happy through your photos will be good for you too.
If
you are the sort of person who does not like that idea why not get an adult
colouring book. These are available in
many shops like The Works, B&M, Homebargains, Aldi and Lidl. (and many other places as well!). They are not expensive and then all you need
are some coloured pencils or felt tips.
Construction
of models as children many of us enjoyed Lego, Meccano, Brio and Airfix
kits. The good news it they are not just
for kids. You can have loads of fun building
with Lego and these toys are often available in charity shops for a few pounds.
Being
Creative can enhance Problem Solving Skills
Because
there is no real right or wrong way to be creative our brain naturally gets a
work out when faced with a problem.
Artists don’t always use blue for the sky and green for the grass. If you don’t have blue in your box of paints
you may use other shades of grey or green, yellow or pink to colour the
sky. This can be a liberating way of
thinking and allows us to consider other options in our day to day problem
solving.
Finishing
a lovely art project boosts self esteem.
Its
good to get a project finished it gives us a warm feeling. That feeling of self esteem is boosted when
we finish a piece of art that others can admire. A cross stitch card given to a friend, a
lovely calendar with views of where you live, a model of your house in lego, or
a completed hand coloured picture can be admired by others who will compliment
you on your work. It makes you feel
happy.
It
can help Dementia Patients
This
is something I have seen first hand. I
took a silk painting class and some of the other pupils were suffering with
Dementia. They were relaxed and calm
when taking part in the class it also enabled them to talk to others in the
class and the social interaction together with making some pretty artwork they
could keep had a really positive effect.
Final
thoughts – Everyone is a Creative, you may play music, take photos, write
poems, colour in pictures or make models.
You don’t need too much special equipment or loads of time. Give it a try you may find you have a talent
you didn’t know about. You may even
(like me) find a way to make it into your job.
I am a Creative, Upcycling is my passion!
Enjoy
creativity, its good for you.
