Top 8 Ways To Use Art For Stress Relief!

Art provides a safe, personal space to express emotions, explore thoughts, and find relief from stress. Whether you're navigating a hectic schedule, managing mental health challenges, or simply needing a breather, creativity can offer a powerful form of self-care.

In honour of Mental Health Awareness Week, here are eight simple, soul-soothing ways to use art for stress relief, no talent required, just an open mind.

1. Doodle Your Stress Away

There's something incredibly freeing about letting your pen move across the page without overthinking. Doodling isn't about making something "good", it's about letting your thoughts unwind through lines, shapes, and scribbles. It's the perfect low-pressure way to relax your mind, especially during moments of overwhelm.

2. Colour to Calm Your Mind

Adult colouring books, featuring mandalas, nature scenes, or abstract patterns, offer a simple yet powerful form of mindfulness. Focusing on colours and shapes gives your brain a much-needed break from worries and constant thinking. It's calming, grounding, and something you can do almost anywhere. All you need is your favourite colouring tool, whether it be pencils or pens.

3. Get Creative With Clay

There's something deeply grounding about working with clay. Whether sculpting a simple bowl or just squishing and shaping the material, the tactile sensation helps you reconnect with your body and settle your nervous system. No fancy tools needed, just your hands and some clay or even playdough. Once dry, you can get creative with colours and designs on your newly created clay pieces.

4. Paint What You Feel (Not What You See)

Don't worry about painting a perfect picture, just focus on expressing what's inside. Splash colours on a canvas, let your brush follow your mood, and allow your feelings to take shape through art. It's a beautiful, unfiltered way to release tension and make space for peace.

5. Start an Art Journal

Think of this as your emotional sketchbook, a place where you can write, draw, paint, collage, doodle and be completely honest with yourself. Art journaling helps you creatively explore your thoughts and feelings, giving them form, colour, and visibility in a safe and private space.

6. Create a Mood Collage

Tear up some magazines, grab a glue stick, and make a visual story of how you're feeling. A collage doesn't require artistic skill, just a sense of curiosity. Assembling images, textures, and words into something that reflects your mood can be surprisingly therapeutic and eye-opening. Use the likes of magazines, newspapers, fabric, colour, and so much more to bring your mood collage to life.

7. Go on a Photography Walk

Head outdoors and let your camera (or phone) guide you. Look for beauty in small, often-overlooked details, like sunlight through leaves, textures on a flower, or reflections in a puddle. Focusing on the world around you helps quiet your inner noise and invites mindfulness into your day, as well as getting fresh air to help clear your thoughts.

8. Draw Mandalas for Mindful Balance

Mandalas are circular, patterned designs that have been used for centuries as tools for meditation and inner balance. Drawing your own, starting from the centre and working outward, is a soothing, repetitive practice that can bring a deep sense of calm and focus.

Final Thoughts

This Mental Health Awareness Week, consider giving yourself the gift of creativity. Art doesn't judge, rush, or demand; it simply invites you to be. Whether you're painting your feelings, photographing the world, or filling in a colouring page, you're creating space for healing, peace, and presence. And that's something worth celebrating.

Remember, if you are struggling with your mental health, you are not alone, and there is help available. We've included a list below of some organisations you can reach out to for help and support.

• Samaritans - call 116 123 for free in confidence, 24 hours a day, or email [email protected]
• Give Us A Shout - text SHOUT to 85258 for free, confidential support 24/7
• CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) - call the CALM helpline for free on 0800 58 58 58 or use their Webchat service, open from 5pm - midnight, 365 days a year
• Mind - call the Mind Infoline on 0300 123 3393, open from 9am - 6pm, Monday - Friday (UK landline calls are charged at local rates, and charges from mobile phones will vary considerably)