Art Relieves Stress Even if you Suck at it!

Recently one of my online friends sent me an article about how making art reduces stress even if you suck at it. I love that she sent that to me because it is the exact message I want to send out with the kind of art I do. 

What I do and what I teach isn't about "what" you make. It is about the fun and joy of just stepping into creative flow and playing with art supplies. 

And I know so many of you are thinking, "I suck and art! I can't do it!  What if it looks bad?" Well let me tell you...I have those thoughts every time I start making anything. Those feelings aren't reserved for only some people...everyone has either had those feelings or has them. It is not at all unique and doesn't determine your ability to explore your creativity. 

I personally believe that everyone is creative and that everyone deserves to explore their creativity. Think back to the cavemen. They weren't worried about how their horse was going to look, they just knew they had to carve that shape out onto the cave wall. Our creativity goes back eons and that urge is still in everyone. It is only fear that holds us back. 

The difference between you and me is that I say, "Screw it! I am doing it anyway!" Half the time I am in the middle of what I am making and I am hating it and I just wonder, "Well, what can I do to make it worse?" or "If this feeling had a color what would it be?" and I go with it and sometimes it looks worse and sometimes magic happens and it looks great. I have to remind myself that it is just paint and paper and it's not that serious!

The thing is that when I am following my truth and doing what my intuition tells me I don't really care what it looks like in the end. It can look pretty crappy and I am still in love with it because it came from deep inside me and it felt so good to let it out. 

I'm going to be honest, I've been in a bit of a funk the last week or so...I haven't wanted to do anything much less create but I've been forcing myself to doodle and play and I know for sure that it helps. I feel better when I allow myself to be creative and science is beginning to tell us that it is true! Creativity can lift your mood, release stress and make you feel good. 

Now, I would love for you to come over and make some art with me but you can do it right now in your own home. Get out some markers or crayons or just a pen and start doodling. Remind yourself that you can just toss the paper away when you are done so consider it a chance to just be free and have a little fun.

Of course it's always more fun to do it with a group so check out the upcoming Freedom Art Intro and come join me! 

xo

Art Relieves Stress Even if you Suck at it!

Recently one of my online friends sent me an article about how making art reduces stress even if you suck at it. I love that she sent that to me because it is the exact message I want to send out with the kind of art I do. 

What I do and what I teach isn't about "what" you make. It is about the fun and joy of just stepping into creative flow and playing with art supplies. 

And I know so many of you are thinking, "I suck and art! I can't do it!  What if it looks bad?" Well let me tell you...I have those thoughts every time I start making anything. Those feelings aren't reserved for only some people...everyone has either had those feelings or has them. It is not at all unique and doesn't determine your ability to explore your creativity. 

I personally believe that everyone is creative and that everyone deserves to explore their creativity. Think back to the cavemen. They weren't worried about how their horse was going to look, they just knew they had to carve that shape out onto the cave wall. Our creativity goes back eons and that urge is still in everyone. It is only fear that holds us back. 

The difference between you and me is that I say, "Screw it! I am doing it anyway!" Half the time I am in the middle of what I am making and I am hating it and I just wonder, "Well, what can I do to make it worse?" or "If this feeling had a color what would it be?" and I go with it and sometimes it looks worse and sometimes magic happens and it looks great. I have to remind myself that it is just paint and paper and it's not that serious!

The thing is that when I am following my truth and doing what my intuition tells me I don't really care what it looks like in the end. It can look pretty crappy and I am still in love with it because it came from deep inside me and it felt so good to let it out. 

I'm going to be honest, I've been in a bit of a funk the last week or so...I haven't wanted to do anything much less create but I've been forcing myself to doodle and play and I know for sure that it helps. I feel better when I allow myself to be creative and science is beginning to tell us that it is true! Creativity can lift your mood, release stress and make you feel good. 

Now, I would love for you to come over and make some art with me but you can do it right now in your own home. Get out some markers or crayons or just a pen and start doodling. Remind yourself that you can just toss the paper away when you are done so consider it a chance to just be free and have a little fun.

Of course it's always more fun to do it with a group so check out the upcoming Freedom Art Intro and come join me! 

xo

What Did You Learn This Summer?

I have always loved this time of year. There is something so exciting about going back to school. When I was a kid I loved going to the store to get new supplies and even as a mother I could't wait to take my little guys to stock up on pens, paper and folders. 

Every year when I say goodbye to my boys and send them off for another year, I feel like it is the beginning of my new year too. 

My boys on the first day of school

So many of the women I work with are mothers. They are go-getters. They push and plan and get things done. It's often about this time that they are feeling drained and a bit deflated. The summer flew by and they feel like they didn't get everything done they wanted to accomplish. 

As their coach I tap into what they are feeling and I help them make adjustments. I ask questions...lots and lots of questions...

• What worked for you this summer?
• What didn't work?
• What would you like to spend more time doing?
• What would you like to spend less time doing?
• What is one thing you could do different next summer?

And then do you know what I have them do? I have them go into their electronic calendar and go forward to the beginning of summer next year. I have them write themselves a note with all of the important things they learned this year so they will be reminded next year. 

I do this for myself all the time. I have learned to embrace technology and make it my friend. I always think I will remember these great things I learn but I never do so why not use my calendar? It's like having my own personal assistant to help me stay focused on what is important to me. 

So often we forget that our year ebbs and flows. We want to continue doing everything the same way throughout the year and yet it really doesn't work. Our energy shifts and changes and the more we can pay attention to the changes the sooner we can honor ourselves and create a sustainable lifestyle. 

I personally take it easy during the summer. I spend so much time with my family I don't have as much time to blog, create and coach. I used to try to fight it and life felt so stressful. Now I embrace it and I plan for it and let me tell you when those kids go back to school my creative juices are flowing.

 

I have so much energy to paint and write. I have new ideas flowing and it feels so good. I have learned to work with my lifestyle. 

So what did you learn this summer that will help you next summer?

Insidious Stress Pt. 2

Doodle created on a Panera Gift card holder

Yesterday we talked a little about the effects of stress and today I want to share some tips for dealing with stress that I've incorporated into my life and have shared with my clients with really good results.

1. Breathe- I know it is simple and seems like a no brainer but I'm telling you it is powerful. Breathing really can change everything. It can affect you on physical, mental and emotional levels. By simply taking a moment to close your eyes and take a deep breath you are consciously making a choice to slow down. If you really want to calm your nervous system try practicing belly breathing for just a few minutes. On the inhale, allow your belly to rise and on the exhale allow it fall. It might help to practice it lying on your back the first few times to get a feel for it.

2. Prepare- Sometimes stressful times can be unpredictable but more often than not I've found that women have predictable cycles in their days or years. I personally am approaching my most stressful season...baseball season. For other women it is summer or holidays or perhaps it is the morning rush or before dinner that stresses you out. Prepare for these stressful times when things are going smooth. Have meals ready to go in the freezer, take really good care of yourself when things are running at a slow pace so you are better able to handle stress. Schedule down time for yourself, pamper yourself. Begin to think about filling the well so that in times of drought you will have enough to sustain you.

3. Creative Outlet- The act of tapping in to your creativity can really melt away stress. It takes you out of your thinking mind and connects you to the creative flow. Doodle, create a collage, cook a new meal, rearrange your furniture, try a new hairstyle, take up a new hobby, or go on a walk and take a photo safari. Come up with simple creative tasks you can incorporate into your life.

4. Journal- Oftentimes our stress can be compounded by the thoughts in our heads. Let them out and set yourself free. Allow your thoughts to pour themselves out on a page without thinking about them or censoring them. Let the swear words fly! Be bold with your punctuation!!! Set every emotion free. When you're done you can even burn it and watch that negativity go up in smoke. It feels so good.

5. Rewrite Your Story- We all have our stories of lack, frustration, limitations, etc. Try an experiment where you literally rewrite those stories. Pretend you're writing a fairy tale and make it dreamy. Give it a happy ending and you might even try giving yourself the role of Prince Charming. Who needs anyone else to save us right?

6. Consult Your Future Self- Take a moment to connect with the future you who has already experienced what you are going through right now. Be sure you connect with the future you who has conquered the situation, who is thriving, happy, successful and living her dream life. Ask her for advice and support.

7. Use your calendar- This technique has helped so many of the women I 've worked with including myself when it comes to dealing with stressful times. If you have found that you have a recurring stressful time of the year like my stressful baseball season, go forward into your calendar and write yourself a note that will pop up prior to the start of that season. For me it usually pops up in March and baseball goes into full swing in April. I make notes about what made me crazy the year before and what worked. I make notes about ideas that I can try the next year and things to steer clear of. I know you think you will remember from year to year but the truth is we tend to forget but the calendar never forgets.

8. Experiment With Soothing Music- I'm a rocker. I love my rock music. I also love pop music and oldies, and blues, and well, I think you get the idea. I have a eclectic taste in music. I find music can really affect mood and I try experimenting with different styles of music. When you are stressed go for soothing music, classical, spiritual, inspirational. I've been known to put on chanting, meditations, and Gregorian chants to soothe myself. Explore and find some music that soothes your soul.

We can't run away from stress. It's a natural part of our lives. What we can do is to find techniques to reduce it and allow us to function holisticall and at our best. I hope there is a nugget here for you today!

Bring on Baseball Season! :o)

Insidious Stress Pt. 1



Ok, so I've had  bit of stress going on in my life lately. I used to be a complete stress addict and always felt like I was rushing around on high speed. It was so bad that I ended up with adrenal fatigue and had to make some changes in my life.

As a Holistic Health Coach I have worked with many women and mothers who need help dealing with stress and as I sat down at Panera the other day for a little stress break I started thinking about all the great advice I've given out and the advice I follow in my old life and thought I would share it with you.

We've all heard the reports on how stress is bad for our health. It raises cortisol, can contribute to high blood pressure, can lead to adrenal fatigue, etc. But there is another side effect to stress that I want to talk about today and that is how being under stress effects our behavior. When we are stressed out we suddenly begin making choices that we wouldn't normally make.

Food Choices- When we are stressed and under time constraints we typically don't have the time or the desire to prepare healthful meals that feed our bodies. We will just grab whatever is available and that tends to be processed food loaded with sugar, chemicals, and caffeine. These choices only add to the stress on our bodies.

Relationship Choices- Under stress we either don't have the time or energy to spend the quality time with our loved ones. This might mean brushing off our children or collapsing in the bed at the end of the night unable to be intimate with our partners.

Choosing our Words- When stressed out it is so easy to find ourselves snapping at the people we care about or even to the girl checking us out at the grocery store. Our filter can become defective and we could find ourselves saying things we wouldn't normally say.

Not Choosing Self Care- When time is tight and things have to be done yesterday self care can often be the first thing to throw out the window. We don't have time to take a walk. We're just too tired for that bath. Book? Are you kidding? As women we are really good at putting everyone and everything before our needs.

Can you relate to any of this? I know I sure can! I've been there and done that many times. I have to say that I get better and better at dealing with it every day and tomorrow I'm going to share my top tips for dealing with stress.