More and more, the medical field is becoming aware of the damaging effects that stress can have on an individual's health. Through creativity many are finding peace.
In modern times medical institutions have been using creative pursuits to assist patients suffering from physical, cognitive or emotional illness by helping to improve their quality of life.
Occupational therapists encourage patients to participate in arts and crafts as a form of therapy. Crafts not only help to reduce stress but also improve dexterity and stimulate different areas of the brain which control creativity.
Psychiatrists also recommend different forms of art therapy to help patients learn to express themselves and gain a sense of accomplishment and relaxation. Journaling is also recommended in order to help people to articulate themselves, make sense of their illness and come to terms with it.
Music therapy has also found its place in modern day stress management. Go into any music store, book store or department store and you will find at least half a dozen CD's designed to help an individual de-stress, sleep or lose weight. These CD’s sometimes use nature sounds combined with soothing music to create a peaceful atmosphere. It has been suggested that music and sounds have the ability to improve mood and alter physical functions such as heart rate, breathing, the release of endorphins as well as change the patterns of brain waves.
In healthy people, creativity is a wonderful way to keep stress at bay and to promote relaxation. By adding different creative elements it will definitely improve an individual’s quality of life. Colour therapy is another trend from ancient times which is being revisited. Watch television or read a magazine and you will hear from interior decorators, fashion stylists or makeup artists talk about the psychological effect that colour has on an individual. For instance yellow is said to work well on patients with Seasonal Effective Disorder (SAD), red is called the color of love and the famous expression someone is green with envy is commonly used. Listed below are both the positive and negative traits of each colour. Give them a try and see what works for you.
Colour
Red - Positive: passion, strength, courage Negative: anger, violence, agitation
Blue - Positive: peace, creativity, relaxation Negative: depression, lethargy
Yellow - Positive : happiness, optimism Negative: stubbornness
Green - Positive: harmony, growth, renewal Negative: jealousy, insecurity
Orange - Positive: stimulation, happiness Negative: agitation
Purple - Positive: spirituality, idealism, commitment Negative: domination
Brown - Positive: stability, nurturing, grounding Negative: depression, dullness
Black - Positive: power, self-knowledge, discernment Negative: tyranny
White - Positive: simplicity, purity, innocence Negative: rigidity
Start by wearing a certain colour or add accents to your home in order to create the atmosphere you desire.
"There is neither painting, nor sculpture, nor music, nor poetry. The only truth is creation." - Umberto Boccioni
