Using Art for Stress Relief
College is one of the most fun, yet busiest times of your life. It is easy to overcommit yourself in school, social activities, extracurriculars, and still find time for yourself. This is honestly something that I’ve always struggled with, even outside of college. It is so important to find balance in your life, and still make time for yourself to de-stress and relax. One way I’ve been able to find peace in a crazy, hectic schedule is art.
Now, don’t stop reading!! You do not have to be a modern day Van Gogh or Picasso to enjoy art. Art is simply an outlet for anyone and everyone, and it has absolutely no barriers. The beauty of art is that it can be ANYTHING you make it to be. It can be abstract and super colorful, or very precise and conformed. Now, you may be asking, “how do you use art for stress relief?” Well, there are so many ways!! Here are a few of my favorites!
Draw What you Feel:
Draw your stress. Draw your excitement. Drawing literal or abstract representations of what is going on in your life is a great way to express emotions that can be difficult to put into words. Taking a sheet of paper and some highlighters or pens and scribbling all over the page, or sitting and painting a specific picture is a great way to zone in and focus on yourself to drown out the stress of the rest of the world.
Keep a Gratitude Journal:
Combine art and doodles with journaling or simple notes you write to yourself! Keeping a gratitude journal is a incredible way to calm down after a long day, and to make your thoughts even more personalized. Doodling on the pages or writing in certain colors can make your life seem a little less chaotic. Drawing little hearts, flowers, or other things that make you happy can be little motivators throughout your day and help you breathe a little easier.
Start Coloring:
Coloring isn’t just for kids! Nowadays, there are plenty of adult coloring books with different types of themes to fit every area of interest. Coloring books, or simply coloring in general, is an especially wonderful way to relieve stress for those that don’t want to necessarily create their own art, but still be artistic. Coloring is a perfect way to mindlessly take a step back from a crazy world and zone in on participating in a simple activity. And, the best part is that it doesn’t even have to be within the lines if you don't want to!
What I’ve gathered in college thus far is that self-care is essential. There are so many things to do and get involved in, all of which are wonderful, but sometimes you need to sit down by yourself and take a step back from life. Creating art in whatever shape or form you choose is a way to express yourself in ways that words cannot always do. Create art for yourself, and I promise you will start to see art in your everyday life. Express yourself in colors and lines. Learn how to draw for yourself, and determine what creative outlet relieves you of stress. Art is a beautiful thing, and thankfully, it does not have any limits.
