It’s time to get creative

When life starts to get on top of you, it’s important to take a moment to check in with yourself. Whether you have fifteen minutes to yourself or a whole afternoon, there’s plenty of ways you can get creative and start practicing mindfulness.

Art Therapy

Art therapy has long been used to improve mental health and overall wellbeing. Some of its benefits include improving symptoms of anxiety, depression and stress, as well as healing. Art is so versatile and there are many ways to get creative! If you’d prefer to paint, then dust out your oil paints and a canvas; if you’re a sketcher then just a pencil and paper will do, or maybe you’d prefer to be more hands-on, in which case sculpting or crafts may be for you. It’s a fantastic way to check in with your thoughts and emotions, or to discover them by being expressive. And better still… you don’t even need to be good at it! It’s more about expression, rather than perfection.

Writing

When we think of being mindful, or meditation, we perhaps don’t always associate writing with being a form of meditation. However, writing and journaling is a great way to tap into your innermost thoughts and feelings, and begin to feel in the present moment. The key is to not think too much into it- just start writing and see where it takes you. A good way to connect to the present is to describe your current scene. Maybe you’re in a café and you’re smelling freshly ground coffee, or perhaps you’re just in your living room at home with your husband watching the football (great!) If you’re creative or have a flair for words, perhaps now is a good time to start that book you’ve always dreamt of writing.

Gardening

Gardening doesn’t always have to be a chore. Mindful gardening can have an impressive array of benefits for your physical and mental health – such as giving you an overall sense of calm. So, next time you’re in the garden, take some time to pause and take in your surroundings. It’s a fantastic mood-booster, especially if the weather’s nice (you’ll get that much-needed vitamin D boost too!)

Try the following mindful techniques next time you are outdoors;

– Walk barefoot (if the weather allows!)

– Reconnect with your senses- what can you see/hear/smell?

– Take some deep, calming breaths or sit outside with a cup of tea.

– Appreciate nature, including the beauty of the plants and flowers around you.

– Listen to the rain

If you don’t have a garden- don’t despair. You can still enjoy the positive benefits by gathering a little herb collection in your windowsill or even buying some indoor plants. Enjoy being creative!