Engaging in art activities like painting or crafting is an excellent way to calm stressful thoughts, shift your energy, and promote relaxation. As highlighted in the article Painting a Pathway to Wellness by Caddy, Crawford, and Page (2011), the deep focus required and the altered perception of time can offer a much-needed break from worry, rumination, and negative thinking. My practice as a psychologist has helped me become more aware of the importance of self-care. Painting is a wonderful way to practice self-care.
The author’s state,
“The ‘doing’ of creative activity generates a complex interaction of mind and body processes, which can stimulate the growth of new neuron networks in the cerebral cortex. Both sides of the brain become involved during engagement in creative activity, the mind being activated and ‘energized by the use of our hands.’ Using imagination accesses right brain function and can bypass rigid thinking patterns. (Caddy, Crawford, Page 2011:328)”
Part of my work as a psychologist is helping people find ways to practice self-care. Painting can help significantly lower stress, improve self-esteem, and provide a sense of achievement. The goals for counselling are really up to you, but without self-care, you could make attaining those goals harder. Taking the necessary time to practice self-care will help you stay focused on those goals but also give you time to separate yourself from certain situations that may bring on stress. If painting isn't for you, there are other self-care initiatives you can engage in, including journalling, taking a bath or even reading. Part of the process is also finding out what you like to do that takes you away from your day-to-day, even if it's for a few moments.
References:
Caddy, E., Crawford, F., & Page, A. C. (2012). Painting a path to wellness: Correlations between participating in a creative activity group and improved measured mental health outcome. Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, 19, 327–333.
Places to Find Craft Activities (Generated by Google Maps):
Painting Classes:
Art Classes Portfolio Development Drawing School - 905-762-9393 - Richmond HIll, York Region
Palette Art Classes - 905-738-7889 - Concord, York Region
Art Classes by Katerina Atapina - 416-833-8939 - Markham, York Region
ACE Art Studio - 416-522-5557 - Vaughan - York Region
Woodland Artists Art School - 416-845-6913 - Richmond HIll, York Region
Roksolana Art School - 416-893-0998 - Richmond HIll, York Region
Kim School of Art - 906-882-0884 - Richmond HIll, York Region
Art Classes (Instyle Frames) - 905-709-8898 - Thornhill, York Region
Lynrich Arts - 905-771-0411 - Markham, York Region
Lolart School - 905-237-2411 - Richmond HIll, York Region
Blue Panda Studio - 416-797-0144 - Aurora, York Region
Studio Six Framing and Art Supplies - 905-475-1136 - Makrham, York Region
Ziba Gallery - 416-696-8464 - Richmond Hill, York Region
Woodbridge Art School - 905-832-2100 - Woodbridge, York Region
Pottery Classes:
Color Me Mine - 905-477-0002 - Markham, York Region
Glaze Craze - 905-770-2529 - Richmond Hill, York Region
Pine Tree Potters Guild - 905-727-1278 - Aurora, York Region
Your Fired Cermaics - 905-737-8944 - Richmond Hill, York Region
Spectrum Glazes - 905-695-8355 - Vaughan, York Region
Bisque It Pottery and Painting Studio - 905-303-6333 - Maple, York Region
Sewing Classes:
Markham Guild Village Craft - 905-264-7421 - Markham, York Region
Art Galleries:
Kipling Gallery - 905-265-2192 - Woodbridge, York Region
McMichael Canadian Art Collection - 905-893-1121 - Vaughan, York Region
Canadian Heritage Art Co - 905-893-0168 - Kleinburg, York Region
Art Dealers (great for inspiration):
Living Art Warehouse - 905-851-6583 - Woodbridge, York Region
Rocfern International Galleries - 905-850-7647 - Woodbridge, York Region
Global Art & Furniture - 905-856-9090 - Woodbridge, York Region
Galaria Art Expo - 905-856-9090 - Woodbridge, York Region
Art Studio GogaFineArt - 905-303-4005 - Concord, York Region
Marquis Galleries - 905-764-0519 - Thornhill, York Region
Richmond Hill Group of Artists - 905-770-7449 - Richmind Hill, York Region
Counselling Services for York Region offers individual psychotherapy, group therapy, and couples counselling in the community. Our goal is to provide quality professional counselling services and do so by reducing barriers to access in York Region. We work with a number of community organizations in creating social programming for those who may experience difficulties in accessing mental health resources.
Participating in an artistic activity can provide a safe, non-verbal, and acceptable way of managing difficult emotions. Other reported benefits of engaging in a creative activity include:
Art Activities:
- Increased sense of satisfaction
- Empowerment
- Confidence
- Achievement
- Increased activity levels
Art Activities:
- Painting - take lessons (from a university student or professional)
- Buy art instructional books
- Try painting in oil, acrylic, and water-based material
- Pottery Classes
- Drawing
- Sketching
- Crafts
Part of my work as a psychologist is helping people find ways to practice self-care. Painting can help significantly lower stress, improve self-esteem, and provide a sense of achievement. The goals for counselling are really up to you, but without self-care, you could make attaining those goals harder. Taking the necessary time to practice self-care will help you stay focused on those goals but also give you time to separate yourself from certain situations that may bring on stress. If painting isn't for you, there are other self-care initiatives you can engage in, including journalling, taking a bath or even reading. Part of the process is also finding out what you like to do that takes you away from your day-to-day, even if it's for a few moments.
References:
Caddy, E., Crawford, F., & Page, A. C. (2012). Painting a path to wellness: Correlations between participating in a creative activity group and improved measured mental health outcome. Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, 19, 327–333.
Places to Find Craft Activities (Generated by Google Maps):
Painting Classes:
Art Classes Portfolio Development Drawing School - 905-762-9393 - Richmond HIll, York Region
Palette Art Classes - 905-738-7889 - Concord, York Region
Art Classes by Katerina Atapina - 416-833-8939 - Markham, York Region
ACE Art Studio - 416-522-5557 - Vaughan - York Region
Woodland Artists Art School - 416-845-6913 - Richmond HIll, York Region
Roksolana Art School - 416-893-0998 - Richmond HIll, York Region
Kim School of Art - 906-882-0884 - Richmond HIll, York Region
Art Classes (Instyle Frames) - 905-709-8898 - Thornhill, York Region
Lynrich Arts - 905-771-0411 - Markham, York Region
Lolart School - 905-237-2411 - Richmond HIll, York Region
Blue Panda Studio - 416-797-0144 - Aurora, York Region
Studio Six Framing and Art Supplies - 905-475-1136 - Makrham, York Region
Ziba Gallery - 416-696-8464 - Richmond Hill, York Region
Woodbridge Art School - 905-832-2100 - Woodbridge, York Region
Pottery Classes:
Color Me Mine - 905-477-0002 - Markham, York Region
Glaze Craze - 905-770-2529 - Richmond Hill, York Region
Pine Tree Potters Guild - 905-727-1278 - Aurora, York Region
Your Fired Cermaics - 905-737-8944 - Richmond Hill, York Region
Spectrum Glazes - 905-695-8355 - Vaughan, York Region
Bisque It Pottery and Painting Studio - 905-303-6333 - Maple, York Region
Sewing Classes:
Markham Guild Village Craft - 905-264-7421 - Markham, York Region
Art Galleries:
Kipling Gallery - 905-265-2192 - Woodbridge, York Region
McMichael Canadian Art Collection - 905-893-1121 - Vaughan, York Region
Canadian Heritage Art Co - 905-893-0168 - Kleinburg, York Region
Art Dealers (great for inspiration):
Living Art Warehouse - 905-851-6583 - Woodbridge, York Region
Rocfern International Galleries - 905-850-7647 - Woodbridge, York Region
Global Art & Furniture - 905-856-9090 - Woodbridge, York Region
Galaria Art Expo - 905-856-9090 - Woodbridge, York Region
Art Studio GogaFineArt - 905-303-4005 - Concord, York Region
Marquis Galleries - 905-764-0519 - Thornhill, York Region
Richmond Hill Group of Artists - 905-770-7449 - Richmind Hill, York Region
Counselling Services for York Region offers individual psychotherapy, group therapy, and couples counselling in the community. Our goal is to provide quality professional counselling services and do so by reducing barriers to access in York Region. We work with a number of community organizations in creating social programming for those who may experience difficulties in accessing mental health resources.
