Since times immemorial, art has acted as a release for stress and anxiety. Hand over paint and brushes to a person struggling mentally, and they just might finally be able to get in touch with their emotions. The emotional release allows the individual to relax and focus on destressing.
And the best part? Art therapy doesn’t require you to possess any sort of artistic abilities. Splatter paint parties to painting exercises, curbing your stress levels has never been more fun.
Art exercises are also a great way to help young kids who might otherwise find it difficult to vocalize their repressed emotions.
NOTE - Drawing and painting are no doubt great ways to relieve stress in daily life but relying solely on art to take care of mental health is never the way to go. Remember therapy is for everyone, whether or not you have been diagnosed with definite mental illnesses. Book a session with a licensed mental health practitioner if you suspect you need help.
3 Painting Exercises to Beat the Stress
#1 Splatter Paint Parties
A splatter paint party is an excellent combination of exercise and fun. They merge into a stress relief activity that somehow leads to a transformational bonding experience with those accompanying you. Make a party playlist to jam to while you splatter paint on canvases. This exercise is not about testing your art prowess, let lose and let the colors take over. You can consider the following colors to soothe your mind after a rough day.
Red - Love and passion
Orange - Friendship and optimism
Yellow - Happiness and optimism
Green - New beginnings and balance
Blue - Soberness and Peace
Turquoise - Clarity and Calmness
Pink - Love and friendship
Magenta - Balance and Harmony
Brown - Warmth and Comfort
#2 Freestyle Painting
Studies have shown that the brain finds curvy shapes, and swirling lines relaxing. Angles and rigid shapes on the other hand can invoke aggression and strong emotions. Grab some paint and let your imagination take over. Drip, swirl, draw and most importantly have fun. Here a few ideas you can try.
Spirals
Snaking rivers and roads
A comforting landscape
#3 Erase It with Paint
A fan favorite paint exercise is to write down whatever’s bothering you and then cover it up with a blob of paint. This creates an illusion of replacing your worries with something positive. When you write your troubles, it gives them a tangible body, and then when you erase them with paint, the action is synonymous with conquering them. This practice boosts mindfulness and trains you to have a positive outlook.
Bring the Party to Our Splatter Rooms
Breakroom 405 has an entire splatter room to accommodate splatter paint parties for its patrons. The large rooms can accommodate up to 14 people whereas the smaller ones, up to 6. Each member of the party will receive a 9X12 canvas and 3 bottles of neon paint. Additionally, you will also get eye protection, hair/cloth/shoe coverings, and a box to take your artwork home. The rooms are equipped with disco lasers and blacklight to make the experience even more interesting. Drop us a line at (405) 920-6400 to book a session with us.
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