Four Therapeutic Artistic Exercises To Try
These activities may feel therapeutic, but they are not a replacement for therapy!
Lean into your mind-body connection.
Syncing breath and movement can remind the nervous system it is present. For every inhale, double the exhales. For example, if you inhale for 2, exhale for 4. Inhales can represent the fear or an “uh oh”, bracing sensation. Exhales are to find relief. You can move to your favorite movement practice, hold a posture, or simply let your body guide where you go. Try to inhale when you are tense or holding, and exhale when you release. We want to mirror with our mind what our body needs, and vice versa. Otherwise, it can be quite the disconnect, and unpleasant experience.
Partake in your favorite childhood artistic activity
Collecting shells, making macaroni art, or coloring outside the lines? Set a timer to be present with this activity, and present with your younger self. Bonus: Make a playlist of your favorite childhood era while you do the activity. For you millennials, we all know the 90s are making a strong comeback.
Having trouble journaling with words? Try photo journaling.
Sometimes an image speaks for itself. Or it can inspire the words that were within us all along. The part of our brain that holds words, is a “higher” level than images. Therefore if we’re stressed, it can be harder to access. Pulling from the visual or kinesthetic (body-centered) parts of ourselves, build a bridge between inner sensations, to words. Making the verbal part of our brain accessible once again. You can take pictures, or find them in a collage.
Try this once a day and see what shifts from mirroring your inner thoughts with images.
Try something new.
Many are hesitant to engage in the arts due to the inner critic that comes up. Try an activity for the first time with the intention of letting go of how “good” you are at it. Focus on enjoying the process, not the product. Notice what this letting go does for your experience. Trying new things is also great for our neuroplasticity, or our brain’s ability to make new connections. Our brain is like a muscle, we want to use it to help nourish it with a variety of exercises.
Let me know in the comments which one you will be trying this week!
