Reconnect with Your Inner Self while Making Art

Need to Relax? Chose an art project and get started

Ask any little kid what they like to do and eventually you will come around to some form of art project. Whether it is playing with Play-Doh, drawing in chalk outside, or coloring with crayons, these rank high as fun things to do for them.

It turns out that making things is also good for you! The act of creating something can calm you down and help you to concentrate on something other than the state of the world.

The simple act of giving someone paper, crayons, markers, or clay can help them to express their innermost thoughts. Some people even go to actual art therapy, where they explore their feelings through creativity.

Regardless of whether you do this on your own, or in a more formal setting, the emphasis is not on artistic skill as much as the therapeutic process of creation. When you remove the idea that you have to be “good” at art to create, you find that anyone can enjoy the benefits of creating. This helps to dismantle barriers and grant access to the profound benefits art therapy offers.

Unlocking the Benefits of Art Therapy

Art therapy has been proven to be a powerful tool in combatting stress, nurturing mental health, and fostering emotional resilience. This form of therapy aids in enhancing mood, lowering anxiety levels, and promoting a sense of personal achievement.

The act of creating art, be it through drawing activities or relaxation art therapy, can help to facilitate understanding and healing for a person and help them to find peace and clarity in their lives. You can read more about “Healing through Art” in this article from Psychiatry.org.

100 Art Therapy Exercises for Everyone

There are a lot of different activities that people can do that fall under “Art Therapy” exercises. They can range from coloring book pages to intricate mandalas, and they are not just for adults but for teens and kids alike.

Other ideas include chalk activities and creative arts activities as a way of expressing yourself. It doesn’t matter how old you are or how much artistic ability you have. You will surely find something on the large list of 100 items that looks like fun to you. You can find calm through drawing prompts and find yourself relaxing with each simple stroke.

If you want something that is more tactile, art therapy activities with clay can offer a grounding experience. The ultimate stress reliever, is to do a mindful art project and blend creativity with meditation. There is something for everyone on this list so be sure to check it out.

Art Therapy Activities With Clay

The tactile nature of clay is helpful when you want to find stress relief and relaxation. Just the act of manipulating clay, ripping it apart, smashing and stretching it, can be very grounding.

When you are able to take the clay and mold it into some sort of object like a small sculpture, it feels like a win. It doesn’t matter if it isn’t perfect, the mere act of creating something out of clay is enough.

And if you can really let yourself get into the moment and forget everything but what you are doing, that can really get you into a state of flow and alleviate tension.

Simple project ideas tailored for relaxation include crafting small objects or creating intricate textures by pressing different objects into the clay. These art projects can serve as creative outlets while also being physical manifestations of your inner thoughts and emotions.

For beginners looking into art therapy ideas that utilize clay, starting with basic shapes and progressing to more detailed forms can offer a sense of accomplishment and tranquility. Clay projects require minimal investment but provide a deeply satisfying and mindful experience.

Simple Art Prompts for Inspiration

If you are just starting out on your art therapy journey, where to begin can seem overwhelming. You may worry that you don’t have the right level of skill to do something that feels more advanced like drawing.

So, start simple and consider drawing just some basic shapes. You could begin by drawing a circle.

The idea is to be able to be a beginner and not worry about the outcome as much as focus on the process. I wrote an article about this idea called “Magic Lies in Being a Beginner”.

Take your circle and fill it with whatever you want. It could be patterns, words, colors, or it may decide it wants to be something else and morph into something bigger (like a snowman with 3 circles).

You can also select a particular theme if you feel like it. Choosing one that has some sort of personal significance, can make it even more helpful.

You could draw a scene from your childhood or a favorite animal or plant from nature. Some people like to try to draw their dreams or what they want their future to look like.

Whatever you choose, trust yourself to guide your creative process. Using the art prompts below, art can become a tool for relaxation and also ground you in the present moment.

Mindful Art Projects and Meditation

Mindfulness practices can be combined with art projects to create your own oasis of calm. These kinds of mindful art projects immerse you in the present moment and help you forget your anxiety about other things.

Through art meditation activities, each stroke and color can become an act of meditation. You become deeply involved in the creative process and discover a tranquil place for self-expression.

The act of engaging in drawing therapy activities ushers in a meditative state, where the mind quiets and focuses solely on the task at hand. This focus on the present moment is a cornerstone of mindfulness, which has been shown to reduce stress and improve mood.

By combining mindfulness practices with simple art projects, one can set the stage for relaxation and greater mental clarity. Hopefully, this will result in not only a piece of art but also a way of facing life’s challenges with more calm.

Mandalas: Drawing for Relaxation

In the realm of art therapy, Mandalas have emerged as a way to calm yourself down while also meditating on whatever you would like. Mandalas intricate designs, characterized by their circular form, can serve as a mirror reflecting one’s inner self.

The practice of creating mandalas is rooted in ancient traditions and allows you to focus on the present moment. By drawing intricate patterns that represent the universe and yourself, you engage in a form of meditation, which encourages a deep connection with your inner self.

To create a mandala you just need a few things. If you have paper, a ruler, and colored pens, you can start drawing these intricate patterns, known for their meditative benefits. The act of coloring or designing a mandala centers the mind and allows your worries to fade into the background.

For those trying to create a mandala for the first, start simple. Beginners should focus on letting their intuition guide the selection of colors and patterns. It does not have to be perfect.

This is for you and you don’t have to share it with anyone if you don’t feel like it. This is a way to explore your personal creativity and emotions in a safe space. You can get step-by-step instruction on creating a mandala, with “How to Draw a Mandala”.

DIY Mindfulness Craft Ideas

There are lots of ways you can use materials you have at home (or find at a local store) to create other art projects. DIY Mindfulness Craft projects encourage focus on the present, steering thoughts away from the stress of the past or future.

Some ideas to consider trying include: making a memory scrapbook, decorating glass jars with paint and other found objects from your home or in nature, making personalized cards, etc.

If all of the above sounds too complicated to begin, go back to your childhood and use a coloring book. Coloring books are not just for kids.

The newer coloring books and coloring pages you can find on places like Etsy are designed with adults in mind. There are many different options, some have complex patterns of abstract designs, architecture, or detailed nature scenes.

Whatever you choose, you will start to feel more relaxed through the repetitive motion and single-minded focus on the task at hand. Put on some relaxing music in the background, and you can find renewed calm and focus.

The Healing Power of Art Journaling

Another powerful tool for self-reflection is art journaling. This is one of my favorites because you can use whatever you want to create something that is uniquely you.

You can delve into your innermost thoughts and feelings. One way to do this is to choose a theme for a page or a section like a particular time, place, person, or a feeling you have.

When you do this type of art journaling, it can become a creative outlet that is both personal and profound. Using various types of mixed media like paints, pastels, magazine clippings, fabric, stickers, etc. can help to create a layered narrative of your life.

Everyone’s story is unique and worth telling. Through art journaling, people discover the therapeutic benefits of articulating their journey in a way that words alone cannot capture.

This is a testament to the healing power of combining visual art with storytelling. And it can enable individuals to explore and understand their emotions on a deeper level, which can be a powerful tool for healing yourself.

Creative Arts Therapy as Self Expression

As we have seen above, using creative arts therapy for self-expression allows us to explore how we feel in a way that words cannot. This can be really good for enhancing our mental well-being.

However, art therapy while beneficial, is no substitute for working with a licensed therapist. So, if you are doing deep work always seek out one to help you. There is no shame in going to see one and they can help you to get back on track in whatever area of your life you need help.

Grounding Art Activities for Immediate Relief

Finding stress relief in difficult times often requires a return to the basics. Art therapies can be useful for this and help to restore a sense of normalcy.

Some immediate relief ideas are to do something that doesn’t require a lot of effort on your part. An easy one to begin with is coloring.

Art therapy coloring books have gained popularity for their convenience and ease of use. Coloring can significantly decrease stress levels, making it a favored choice for relaxation.

Another easy one is to grab a piece of paper and a pen, pencil, and draw what you feel inspired to do. You can also use drawing prompts if you aren’t sure what you want to draw. Either way, drawing can help you to release some steam and provide some immediate stress relief.

You could also grab a piece of chalk and work outside. Chalk art activities can remind you of your childhood. Working with chalk, on surfaces large or small, can create a sense of freedom and release negative feelings.

How to Take Stress and Turn it into Art

By now, I hope you see the value of these art therapy activities in terms of the impact creative expression can have on your mental well-being. Engaging in these art exercises can help to elevate your mood, reduce anxiety, and help to create more serenity for you.

By using simple materials you have at home, you can reduce stress with a focus on the present moment and the joy of creation. And because it doesn’t require a lot of expense to begin, art therapy ensures people of all ages can find stress relief through these exercises.

Whether it is art therapy for kids ideas, projects designed for teens, or relaxation techniques aimed at adults, everyone can find something that works for them. There is a lot of versatility in art as a therapeutic way to relax, express personal creativity, and practice self-care.

DIY mindfulness crafts and the reflective practice of art journaling, while simple, can serve as a grounding force offering immediate relief from the whirlwind of daily stresses. Finding what works best for you is a matter of trying different ideas and finding ones you enjoy.

This is one assignment that will actually be fun for you. Try as many different art therapy ideas from the list below until you find the ones that work best for you. By integrating these activities into your routine, you can transform stress into a more balanced and creatively enriched life. Enjoy!

Further Exploration in these Books:

Art for Self-Care: Create Powerful, Healing Art by Listening to Your Inner Voice by Jessica Swift

Collage for Self-Discovery by Shelley Klammer

100 Art Therapy Ideas