“Are you playing with pictures again, Rena?” said Mom, leaning over my shoulder. My home office is her bedroom, so I can’t tell her to bug off.
“Erm, no. I’m learning a new software program called Paint.” I showed her one of the composite images I’d created (such as the one here) when I really should’ve been working.
“So, basically, you’re playing with pictures.”
“Yes, and I feel more relaxed than I have in days.”
Art Therapy
There’s nothing new about art therapy — the more technical name for playing with pictures for relaxation. Way back in prehistoric times, a caveman was probably stressed out that he hadn’t been able to bring home a deer kill in ages. Concerned abut his deer deficit, he then painted a picture on a cave wall to point to and say, “At least I’ll always have THAT deer.”
OK, that’s probably not why man first began painting on cave walls, but it does show that people find relief from their stress and worries when they create something. This could be painting on cave walls, weaving baskets, cooking a meal, or playing with pictures.
Shaping Our Realities
A lot of stress comes from feeling completely out of control as to what happens to us. We feel like nothing we do matters. But when we play with pictures — or do anything creative — we can see the results of our actions. We made something that seems to have a life of its own. We see that we can shape our realities.
So, I like playing with Paint every now and then when I really need to relax. Sometimes, I even do something like stick Peter Gabriel’s head on a young stud’s body. Even though it’s a silly picture, it makes me smile and relax.
Hope this helps.
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10 Comments
Write a Comment»I am painting at home and I can relax excellent. It´s like a meditation. When you are concentrated on one thing, the brain can relax.
Nothing wrong with painting… I always tell my husband that doodling is my therapy.
5 starts
i like it
I agree. Concentrating on one thing seems to relax me sometimes. Maybe I should spend a little more time playing around with my paint program.
It really does help to have something to concentrate on, really helps to relieve the stress. Me, I like to sing a bit, or maybe jog when up up to it, lol!
If you really want to get deep into it, might want to give photoshop a try!
thanks for the infomation… best regard
God Bless …
Well written article, thank you. I am looking forward to read your next great article.
Best regards.
Yeah it can be very relaxing to paint, as an off note…. I also like riding my bicycle as a form of relaxation =D
Especially going downhills… where I can feel a great breeze, in the summer time only though! lol
Its true.
Man find relief from their stress and worries when they create something and yes I like to play with pictures too…:-)