We have looked at many ways to help boost your mood and improve your mental health by being mindful. This has included colouring and doodling, two fantastic ways to spend some time focusing on the now. Today we are going to look at drawing as a way to give you that me time.
What is Drawing?
This might seem like a silly question, but mention the word drawing and it can fill people will dread. However, drawing can be a fulfilling and entirely relaxing endeavour. You can get lost in the process as you see your work come to life. So, what do we mean by drawing?
You don’t have to be Picasso or be able to create something life like. Drawing is anything that you create by putting pencil to paper, (or tablet). There are no hard and fast rules to say that you need a certain skill level, or what subjects to draw. It is about spending that time focusing on something that gives you joy.
A drawing could be a picture of a beautiful landscape, an abstract design full of shapes and colour. It could be a cute animal in the style of Kawaii or even just lines on a page. So long as you gain that enjoyment and allow your mind to be absorbed into the activity, you can’t go wrong.
How can it Help?
There are countless ways beyond pure enjoyment that drawing can help boost your mental health. From improving concentration and focus, to helping alleviate stress and anxiety, there are so many benefits.
Being mindful is all about spending that time with yourself, your own thoughts and being present in the moment. It gives your brain time to process thoughts and events, whilst not having to focus on them.
Taking time out of your busy, hectic life is incredibly rewarding. It can be hard to do this, to find those moments or feel as if you can concentrate on anything. However, even just a few minutes before you fall asleep, or when you get up, or five minutes at lunch time could make a huge difference.
What do I Draw?
This is up to you. For me it depends on my mood. Sometimes I will focus on a piece that will take a long time to complete. Something that challenges me. Just 6 months ago I could not draw a person to save my life! Now I am slowly becoming more accomplished at the nuances in a face and using light and shadows to show depth.
Other times I will literally draw a little cartoon, or simple mandala. There are days when I can’t even muster a decent circle and I end up scribbling rubbish on the page. The point is that if I want to attempt a pirate ship on the open seas, that’s what I will try. If I can’t work it out, I will use reference images, check out tutorials and at times use tracing paper to find angles and shapes before trying again.
Experiment
This is key, experiment. Look for areas of interest and go wild. It doesn’t have to be wonderful, perfect or up to any one else’s standards. Find a tutorial on how to draw an apple and practice. Be proud of everything you draw, because you’ve created it. You’ve put time and energy in to creating something incredible and unique. It’s an extension of you and a testament to time you’ve have spent on self-care. Time you have spent on you!
With out those moments of reflection, calm and quiet life can be so much harder. Drawing is just one way we can be mindful and find a little peace in a word full of noise.
Please do share any creations with us over on TikTok, Instagram, Threads, Facebook and Twitter, we’d love to see them!
