7 Fun Art Therapy Ideas To Help You Relax

Art therapy ideas come in so many forms, but they all have the power to help you ease your mind through visual expression.

Here are some of our go-to activities to combat those stressful days!

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Zen-Worthy Art Therapy Ideas to De-Stress and Express

1. Sketch Your Current Emotions

One of the reasons people end up feeling frustrated is they can’t express their emotions. Let’s face it, turning feelings into words isn’t as easy as it sounds.

A good alternative to speaking your mind is drawing it. Visualize how your emotions would look if they were visible to the naked eye.

2. Scribble Your Worries Away

Put on some relaxing music, grab your favorite pen or sharpie, and start scribbling away! You can draw doodles, write words, create patterns, or just scribble random lines. It’s up to you.

3. Draw with Your Non-Dominant Hand

Why would you want to draw with your non-dominant hand? Won’t the picture come out terrible? Not exactly.

Many creatives use this art therapy technique as a way to relax their minds and let the creative juices flow.

The goal here isn’t to make a good drawing. Rather, it’s to let your hands move freely as if they were dancing on paper.

4. Compile Your Photos

Take a look at your phone’s photo gallery. If you’re like most people, it’s probably cluttered with tens of thousands of random pictures.

Put it to good use by creating a digital photo album! Compile all your favorite photos and arrange them by theme, date, event, or occasion. At the same time, you can use this chance to declutter your phone’s memory.

RELATED: Emotional Detox | Everything You Need To Know

5. Decorate Your Dream Home

A fun, productive activity you can try to de-stress yourself is decorating your home. Put your creativity to the test, explore your deepest desires, and see if you can take one step closer to achieving your dream home.

Note: You don’t have to take on a huge renovation project right off the bat. Start with small tasks such as changing the curtains, buying a new rug, or even rearranging the furniture.

6. Try Adult Coloring Books

Coloring books are no longer restricted to kids. Adult coloring books have recently been gaining popularity as an effective form of stress relief.

What makes it so enjoyable? For starters, it’s a low-stakes activity.

There’s nothing to lose if you choose tacky color combinations, have a dirty shading technique, or even color outside the lines. All you need to know is you’re free to color the picture however you want.

Also, it helps draw one’s attention away from the problem at hand. Even if it’s for a few minutes, being able to rest and relax your brain will rid you of any negative thoughts that may negatively affect your decision-making.

7. Edit Your Own Music Video

With thousands of free-to-use video editing apps readily available, making a music video is no longer an impossible feat to achieve.

You can even shoot and edit a simple video on your phone.

The goal here isn’t to create stunning footage, but rather, to have fun by making a fun, wacky video of yourself and your loved ones having fun!

Tip: Don’t have a knack for editing? Try simple smartphone apps like TikTok. These allow you to make quick snippets with all kinds of background songs and sounds.

Watch this video from The American Art Therapy Association to see how it is related to neuroscience:

You don’t need to be a professional artist to try all these art therapy ideas.

As long as you’ve got all the things you need to start your visual experience, you’re bound to create something calming and beautiful.

Which of these art therapy ideas have you tried before? Please let us know in the comments below!

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