Creative expressions the artistic path to mental well-being

Life is stressful. I'm sure I don't have to tell anyone reading this about that fact. Our busylives come with side effects that can cause both mental and physical issues that can interfere with the rest of our lives. Creativity helps to ground, distract, and help us release the stored energy we have from those stress-filled moments in our lives.

Studies have shown that activities like painting, writing, music, or crafting can positively impact mental health. Creative expression can aid in reducing stress, anxiety, anddepression while promoting relaxation and mindfulness. Engaging in artistic activities such as painting, drawing, or crafting has been linked to reducing stress levels.

Artistic expression is known to boost moods and elevate positive emotions. The act ofcreating can stimulate the release of dopamine, the brain's "feel-good" neurotransmitter. Artalso provides a non-verbal outlet for expressing thoughts, feelings, and experiences thatmight be challenging to communicate verbally. It helps individuals express themselves in a safe and constructive manner.

I recently went through a difficult chapter in my life where I was in between both jobs and homes. I had one foot in Portland, where I had lived off and on for over six years, and theother foot was back home up on Mt. Hood. I was working for a wonderful woman in NW Portland, but as the city was declining due to drugs and homelessness, I started feeling the call to move on.

My friends on the "mountain" had both work and a rental for me if I wanted. But did I? I was currently a dog nanny, working and staying at times in a penthouse in downtown Portland. Do I really want to leave this to scrub toilets in Airbnbs and chop veggies at a local restaurant?

I had been living in a beautiful house with my cousins, where I stayed downstairs in an unfinished basement. I had yearned for a place of my own for years. Was now the time? Could I make that jump from roommate to living on my own and paying all the bills?

Fortunately, I had promised some friends that I would watch their dogs while they went ontheir annual vacation to Hawaii. They had asked months earlier, and I had agreed, not knowing that I would be in such turmoil when the time came. Needless to say, I was going to honor my word and watch their pets, no matter my current circumstances.

I packed up my art supplies and my little dog Violet, and we headed to Washington, wherewe would live for the next ten days with two energy-filled bulldogs. My world was forced to come to a stop while I fulfilled my promise made long ago in what seemed like another life time.

Once I got settled in and recovered from the welcome the two little powerhouses gave me, I arranged my art supplies on the dining room table and started to create. I had so much nervous and anxious energy inside of me that I needed to escape. I wanted to get it out ofme and onto the paper in a creative and healing way.

For those ten days, I made collage after collage, pouring out my soul into each piece. It was a time full of dreams of my future and of letting go of my anxiety and the past. It was an opening to my next chapter. Art was my faithful friend, therapist, and confidant. It was an extremely healing and motivating time. Art allowed me the time and space to formulate my thoughts and eventually come to a decision. I'm actually writing this piece from my new home up on Mt. Hood, surrounded by my art and my fur babies. I'm happy. I'm home.

You don't have to paint or collage to get the healing benefits of creating. There are many ways to do art that you may not have thought of. You can dance, bake, garden, build, or even put together a great outfit. It all depends on you and where your heart draws you.

Don't be afraid! Nobody is watching. Give creation a chance to be your healing companion, and see what happens when you let go of the negativity in your life. Allow that energy to flow out of you and into a project where it can be rebirthed into something new. You don't have tobe an artist. You just have to have the desire to try.

Healing can come in many forms. Follow your heart in the ways that will bring you comfortand peace. You will find yourself better prepared to move on successfully to your next chapter. Go forth and create today!