Art is Good for the Mind & Soul

"Reading is my version of ‘free therapy’. I open up a book when I’m feeling stressed, sad, or overwhelmed, and come to think of it, I also open up a book when I’m feeling calm, grounded, and happy. There simply is no bad time for reading—it keeps my mind engaged and my eyes off my screens. It also connects me to a world bigger than myself, and witnessing the magic of language is nothing short of miraculous. It always leaves me feeling inspired with a renewed appreciation for life." – Stefanie S.

"I like to make things, but I get stressed by projects that are too big to finish. I learned a technique that uses flashcards with an art style and a topic. You pick an art style card and a topic card, set a timer for 13 minutes, and create until the timer goes off. When time’s up, I decide if I want to keep going to finish the project or stop. If I stop, the project is finished. This helps me avoid the stress and mental load of carrying around unfinished projects I feel like I have to complete, and I still get the benefits of a creative break. " – Michelle B.

"My form of art therapy is pretty sweet…it involves cake! I enjoy creating art in the form of decorating sculptured cake designs. It requires 100% of my focus and attention so it keeps my mind from wandering to thoughts that are not in the present moment. Designing it first on paper keeps my mind open to new ideas and ways of creating art. Using my hands brings a physical element that engages both my mind and body.” – Monica S.

We'd like to see the creative pursuits that help you practice optimism. Share a photo on Facebook with @lifeisgood and #lifeisgood.