Navigating your mental health is a journey that requires support and guidance — and sometimes, a little bit of creativity. Creative outlets provide a stimulating way to express your emotions, build your self-confidence, and gain a sense of achievement. Activities ranging from visual arts, such as drawing and painting, to music and dancing, have been found to help reduce stress, improve mood, and foster emotional healing.
These creative outlets are tools for wellness to help promote relaxation and provide a sense of control in your environment by “distracting” the negative thoughts away. So, get involved in the creative process and give your mind a much-needed rest by engaging in some of these creative activities.
Painting and Drawing
Painting or drawing in any capacity commands all your attention, forcing your mind to focus on your art rather than your thoughts. You may even enter a meditative state, soothing your anxiety and depression in the process. Focus on the strokes of the pencil or the brush and lose yourself in the shapes and colors on the page. You don’t have to create a masterpiece either—a simple coloring page or paint-by-number can do the trick and relax your mind.
Music
Music can be a great creative outlet to express your emotions and reduce stress. Whether it’s listening to new music or learning to play an instrument, music can alter your mood almost immediately, helping with depression and improving focus. Learning a musical instrument can allow for expression without words; additionally, making time to practice an instrument can provide you with a structured routine, beneficial for boosting mental wellness.
Writing
Writing is a powerful tool on the journey to mental wellness. It allows you a safe space to put your feelings on paper and organize any thoughts or emotions you may find overwhelming to keep bottled up. You can start a journal, take up creative writing, or even try your hand at poetry as a creative outlet. Another way you can use writing to improve your mental wellness is by writing letters to your future self; when you look back later, you can see how you’ve improved in your life since and how you can continue to boost your mental health.
Dancing
Dancing combines physical activity with creative expression, allowing for the release of endorphins proven to boost mood and focus. No formal training or classes are needed to take up dancing in your free time. You can put on some music at home and feel the rhythm through your body naturally. You can also put on a video or play a dancing game and follow the steps, gaining a sense of achievement with every dance you complete.
Find an activity that brings you joy and stress relief that you can implement into your daily routine. Whatever it is, Beachside Rehab is here to help you figure out what outlets are right for you and your mental health and support you on your journey to healing and recovery.
Your journey toward recovery and sobriety begins at Beachside Rehab in West Palm Beach, Florida. We offer comprehensive, holistic inpatient and outpatient detox and drug and alcohol rehab. Please call 866-349-1770 to speak with one of our trained admissions counselors.