In Times of Crisis: Seek Art

With a global pandemic derailing lives, I am going to do the sensible thing and derail this blog, if only momentarily.

First and foremost, let's join the chorus of sound advice and remind everyone as often as necessary to stay safe and healthy. Practice hand-washing guidelines (I like the old Alphabet song method), found here with the CDC: When and How to Wash Your Hands. Be mindful of personal space, yours and others'. And, if you're feeling ill, CALL your doctor or hospital first. Unless it's an emergency, crowding into hospitals in a time like this is the worst place to be, hands down.

Above all else, remember that your actions can and will effect everyone around you. Take responsibility for your actions and do not put everyone else at risk! Our safety depends on EVERYONE!

For more information, to keep up to date, visit the CDC website and your state's Department of Health. For PA residents: Department of Health.

Now, with everyone ordered home, worrying about everything there is to worry about (a LOT!), there are a zillion ways to distract yourself and ease the burdens of all that anxiety. Can you guess what some of them involve?

If you said 'art', you've been paying attention in class and can give yourself a gold star. Heck, toss in another for being such a great reader, too!

Art is an excellent and healthy medium in which to relax your mind and body in times of stress. Stress, as you know, can not only deteriorate your mental health but your physical health as well. So, this is the time to pick up some healthy habits by testing out methods of relaxation that suit you best.

For budding artists, particularly those with just a pencil and paper at the ready, picking up drawing is a great way to engage your creativity. Mo Willems has a great page with videos and educational tidbits that are fun and entertaining!

For art connoisseurs (so fancy!) that might prefer appreciating art over creating it, the Rubin Museum in New York has some great tips for delving deep into an art piece and finding a mindful balance while doing so.

Personally, if I can't concentrate on a piece I'm working on, my peace in all this madness is in sitting myself down in front of an art piece even if it's one found online, turning on relaxing music or meditative sounds off YouTube, and focusing on my breathing.

Whatever methods you try out, remember that variety is the spice of life so keep exploring new avenues. That way, you'll never fall into the counter intuitive habit of associating one technique to the stress you're trying to alleviate. And, even though we are currently forced to stay separated from loved ones right now, sharing your adventures in art, meditation, and creativity is an email, video call, or even a text away!

Normalcy will return only as fast as we can adapt so, stay healthy, stay mindful, and stay safe everyone.

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