THERAPEUTIC ART ACTIVITIES
The simple act of coloring, drawing or painting a picture can be quite beneficial in relieving stress and anxiety. There are many popular ways to do this as a form of therapeutic meditation. These include mandalas, Zentangles, and scribble art.
These forms of art therapy have become popular among adults as well as children because it is a relaxing exercise that can take one’s mind off of other things.
These forms of art therapy have become popular among adults as well as children because it is a relaxing exercise that can take one’s mind off of other things.
MANDALAS
Studies have shown that the geometric circles known as mandalas can be particularly beneficial over other types of drawings. Coloring mandalas can help children deal with emotions and cope with illness. Instead of verbalizing their feelings, many children express themselves through color and art. Through free flowing arrangements mandalas have a calming effect even upon the most rambunctious child. And after the mandala is completed the finished work becomes an instrument for further reflection. It’s an ideal way to combine the love of coloring with some much needed quiet time in our hectic world.
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Click the link below to access Mandala coloring pages
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ZENTANGLES
While the process of Zentangles may look intricate, it is a deceptively simple pathway to relaxation and inner focus. In fact, proponents of the practice note that it has multiple benefits including calming an anxious mind, increasing self-confidence, and cultivating moment-to-moment awareness in a similar way as mindfulness meditation. Some of the preliminary research on the Zentangle process indicates that engagement in the process has measurable relaxation benefits
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SCRIBBLE DRAWING
Scribble drawings are a popular technique in art therapy and can be used in different ways. Take a small to regular sized piece of paper and create a quick scribble. I recommend using paper on the smaller side for this activity. A large piece of paper can take a long time to fill in the scribble. The smaller sized paper also provides containment and structure to help soothe and calm.
One of the benefits of this activity is that it helps to focus your mind on the here and now. By turning away from worries, planning, overanalyzing, negative thoughts, etc. and focusing on the drawing, you can take a break from stress and allow yourself to relax. Another benefit of the scribble, as opposed to another approach to drawing, is that it helps to remove anxiety or perfectionism in your creative process. A scribble cannot be good or bad, so you do not need to worry about the result.