Comments on: How Art And Drawing Can Combat Stress https://lizzieharper.co.uk/2019/03/how-art-and-drawing-can-combat-stress/ Natural History Illustration - for books, magazines & packaging Sat, 27 Jul 2019 21:32:52 +0000 hourly 1 By: Lizzie Harper https://lizzieharper.co.uk/2019/03/how-art-and-drawing-can-combat-stress/#comment-219 Sat, 27 Jul 2019 21:32:52 +0000 https://lizzieharper.co.uk/?p=7206#comment-219 In reply to Simonetta.

Hi Simonetta

Im so glad you found painting helpful when you were poorly. I agree, it can definitely calm the mind in a way that medication may not be able to. And yes, the long waits when yorue trying to find out what the nature of your ailment is can definitely be helped by mindful distraction.

Your point about people in the past (well, your family) finding the same solace from sewing, making, knitting…It’s a very real point and something Id not fully considered before. I agree entirely. I also think peopl without a creative outlet can sometimes find it a struglle to switch off. Which is why Im so glad you have your painting!

Thanks for leaving such an interesting and insightful comment.

]]> By: Simonetta https://lizzieharper.co.uk/2019/03/how-art-and-drawing-can-combat-stress/#comment-217 Sat, 27 Jul 2019 12:54:01 +0000 https://lizzieharper.co.uk/?p=7206#comment-217 Hi Lizzie, I started watercolour painting about three years ago. I paint landscapes, flowers, leaves…Natural subjects. Having a busy day, I think that watercolour is the best technique: you don’t need an easel, when you are tired you can stop and re-wet your colours the day after. And water…water is relax, water carries the pigments if you paint in a loose style, and sometimes I need this way of painting. But I love the control of botanical painting, I love to observe nature, I think how reproduce muted colours, shadows…
I have been waiting for the correct diagnosis for six months (taking so much cortisone for nothing) and painting saved my life from depression and bad toughts (cortisone enhances this state of mind). I think people must consider this, but not only painting…I think every artistic manual activity
that concentrates thought on something else. My mother, my grandmother could knitting, crocheting…they did projects for the family or to embellish their house. So they did something useful, but relaxing and fun at the same time. My grandfather loved working wood. Now I know many men and above all women depressed, without a hobby and totally denied for manual activities.

]]> By: Lizzie Harper https://lizzieharper.co.uk/2019/03/how-art-and-drawing-can-combat-stress/#comment-204 Thu, 06 Jun 2019 16:35:29 +0000 https://lizzieharper.co.uk/?p=7206#comment-204 In reply to Pat James.

Hiya Pat

I know, its a funny thing how when you concentrate really hard you “lose” yourself. I’m lucky enough to get a bit of that most days, I have no doubt it’s very good for mental health. Gets you tired but fufilled, and very present. I’m glad such clouds aren’t a regular part of your life these days. Most people I know suffer from depression and anxiety on occasion, I just wish people were readier to talk about it, like you are. It’s a great thing to do.

Thanks for the comment, and for reading!

Love
Lizzie

]]> By: Pat James https://lizzieharper.co.uk/2019/03/how-art-and-drawing-can-combat-stress/#comment-201 Sun, 26 May 2019 12:27:53 +0000 https://lizzieharper.co.uk/?p=7206#comment-201 I agree wholeheartedly with all aspects of this blog. I have just had a particularly stressful time and losing myself in a bit of drawing helped me to escape to another world. I am no stranger to anxiety and depression. Thankfully feeling a lot better these days. Drawing and painting plays big part in all of that 🙂

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