Let’s Talk: Creativity for Coping
Whether you are an artist, a musician, or like me, neither, here are some coping skills to engage your creative side.
Creative coping skills can help you reduce anxiety, feeling overwhelmed, overall negative feelings, and help you find balance in your life.
You can use a coping skill that includes your talents, interests, hobbies, or you can try something new.
Getting creative can help you relax and return to responsibilities being more energized and productive.
One thing to keep in mind about using creativity for coping skills:
It is about the journey and the process, not the final product.
15 Creative Coping Skills to Try:
1. Journal
Journaling is a great coping skill and can be used in many different ways: a daily thought journal, a gratitude journal, and a worry journal. Use a journal before you go to bed and when you first wake up in the morning as a daily routine. You can also keep a journal with you to use on the go.
2. Draw
Try drawing something from memory or copying something. Don’t get hung up on the details and just enjoy the moment.
3. Doodle
Doodling is a great way to just let your mind relax and let it do what it wants. Create abstract representations of your feelings.
4. Mandalas
Frequently known as adult coloring books these days. Mandalas have been used for many years in therapy to help reduce overwhelming feelings.
5. Take Pictures
You can take pictures around your house or go for a walk and take pictures of things that make you feel calm or happy. If you have a camera try pulling that out instead of using your phone.
6. Paint Your Nails
Give yourself a manicure or pedicure, maybe even get a little creative with a design.
7. Scrapbooking
You may have scrapbook supplies or use whatever is around you. If you don’t have pictures printed you could also use cutouts from magazines or images printed from online to represent your feelings.
8. Painting
You can be an artist and create your next masterpieces or just put paint to paper. Try finger painting or watercolors and just let your emotions do the work; there is no judgment on the final product. You could also use a paint by numbers.
9. Make Some Jewelry
You can pick up a quick kit or design your own from a craft or bead store.
10. Play an Instrument
You can learn a new song or play your favorite song.
11. Write a Song
You can write a song that expresses your feelings but remember not to get caught up on how it sounds, but the process of expressing your feelings.
12. Write a Story
You can write a short story about how your day is going or representation of your feelings. Try writing about yourself feeling more positive feelings or being able to overcome challenges.
13. Bake Something
Try baking a new recipe or your favorite one
14. Make a Craft
Do you have any saved crafts to try from Pinterest, something you picked up from the craft store or somewhere else but have not gotten around to trying it. Try making wreaths, cards, or holiday decorations from craft supplies or items you may have around your house.
15. Woodworking
Get out your tools and make a piece of furniture or repurpose an old piece of furniture into a table or picture frame.
Using creativity as a coping skill can be easy for some and for others can be a little more difficult, especially if you get stuck on focusing on the product... Just enjoy the creative journey.
If you would like support in learning and effectively utilizing coping skills contact Monica
Stay tuned as I continue to take a dive into the different types of coping skills and encourage you to:
Get Grounded
Get Creative
Get Active
Get Connected
Get Distracted
Monica McNeeley is a licensed therapist, LCSW, provides online therapy in the state of California. She has been providing therapy services since 2011.
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