This is one of my favorite times of the year. The air is crisp, the holidays are approaching and my calendar is filling with family get-togethers and events with friends and business associates. But sometimes the pressure – mostly self-inflicted – causes my stress level to rise, and all the planning and attention to detail can be frustrating and distracting.
I recently read that we humans have between 60,000 and 80,000 thoughts per day, and 90 to 95 percent of them are repetitive. During this busy season, obsessing about our expectations and over-scheduling can lead to increased anxiety. For those who are missing a loved one or dealing with a job loss, this can be an especially depressing time of year. Imagine how much happier and healthier we would be if we could give our brains a break from these repetitive and sometimes worrying thoughts, and instead spend time expressing ourselves through a thoroughly creative outlet!
For generations, painting has been considered an effective method for tapping into the creative process in order to clear our minds of distracting thoughts and express our innermost feelings. Art historians and psychiatrists point to numerous examples of how famous artists used their paintings to express their emotions– and in some cases mental health conditions – in a way that exceeded their capacity to verbalize their situation.
For example, Pablo Picasso’s Blue Period (1901-1904) – inspired by his own emotional turmoil – and Edvard Munch’s expressionistic work, The Scream, were outlets for expressing feelings of depression, anxiety and sadness.
And while there are dissenting opinions among psychiatrists regarding whether or not mental illness contributes to art, most agree that art can be a healing focus and a contributor to psychological well-being, regardless of a person’s mental health.
The Scream, Edvard Munch, 1893
According to Kiersten Adkins, M.A., LPC, executive director of Pathway to Hope, in today’s hectic world, it’s easy to get distracted or overwhelmed at times. “A creative activity like painting allows us to refocus our thoughts and increase our level of self-awareness,” she said. “As a result, our minds can release the external distractions and focus on something positive.”
Want to learn more about the positive power of painting? Give us a call at (913) 602-8296 or visit us online to schedule a painting party in the KC and surrounding area.
We also offer painting kits that can be shipped for a great holiday gift! Each kit purchased will donate 5 new brushes to children, including children who suffer from mental illness. Imagine the possibilities…#1millionbrushes
Then gather your friends, family or co-workers and make some fun holiday memories that will last into the New Year and beyond!