Anxiety can make us want to do a lot of things or nothing at all. When it hits me, for example, I can feel so overwhelmed that I don’t want to leave the house.
From my personal experience it can also, sometimes, turn into anger.
I recall once feeling so anxious about being late for work that, when I subsequently spilt toothpaste down my top, I became so angry that I lobbed my toothbrush against the wall.
It smashed into smithereens.
Did I feel less anxious? Nope.
Breaking toothbrushes, I concluded, isn’t an effective method of dealing with anxiety.
Creative tasks, on the other hand…
Last year, I started drawing mandalas. Although I didn’t start the hobby intentionally as a way of keeping the anxiety at bay, it quickly dawned on me that it was a damn good way of a) keeping my brain focused on something other than the way I was feeling, b) soothing the physical symptoms of anxiety, and c) making it go away completely as a result.
So, here are some creative tasks for anxiety — some that I’ve personally tried and tested and some that have been recommended to me by others.
Draw mandalas
This is my ultimate go-to for getting rid of anxiety. When I’m drawing mandalas, that’s all I focus on — which is why I guess creative tasks are so good at alleviating symptoms like a rapid heart rate and feelings of dread.
I can spend hours working on a mandala and by the time I’m done I can barely remember what I was stressing about. It requires a lot of patience, concentration, and a steady hand, making it a great mindful task.
It looks a lot harder than it is, so I plan on writing a post on how to draw your own mandalas soon. For now, here is an article that I found useful when I drew my first one.
Knit
I enjoy watching my sister and sister in law knit, as it’s so damn soothing to see in action.
And, apparently, it can help with anxiety.
I came across an article in which the author talks about how knitting helps her to manage symptoms. I loved this line in particular:
“Crafting is a lot like sex or yoga, how it shrinks your immediate world down to this cozy, manageable size where all you have to focus on is what’s right in front of you; unlike sex, at the end you get a new pair of socks or a coaster.”
I’ve never tried it but I’d like to!
Colour
When I first broke up with my ex, I was an anxious mess. My brain just wouldn’t let up.
I found myself in a bookstore and I instinctively headed for the colouring books; I bought myself one and a bunch of pens and headed home. I coloured for about eight hours that day.
Colouring is probably the best creative task you can try when a wave of anxiety sets in. You don’t have to worry about learning complicated techniques or figure out how to get started. You just pop your pens open and colour away. It does wonders for an overactive brain.
Tip: buy a pocket colouring book, like this one, so that you can colour while on the go.
Do origami
I’m slightly obsessed with anything associated with Japan, so it isn’t surprising that I found myself pulled by the art of origami. I bought an origami book from Kinokuniya (bookstore in Dubai) and tried to follow the instructions, which were directly translated from the Japanese edition.
Sadly, this was an epic fail, so I just tore out the origami paper and followed some tutorials on YouTube. I found this channel to be a good one.
Cook a new dish
I am one of those strange people who finds cooking soothing — and apparently I’m not alone! Some therapists are recommending cooking and baking as therapy tools for people suffering from anxiety and depression, as reported by the Wall Street Journal.
And actually, it makes sense. While you’re cooking, you become more mindful of what you’re doing, which in turn can alleviate symptoms of anxiety. To be fully mindful, I’d recommend ditching your tried and tested recipes and picking something you’ve never made before.
The bonus here is that you’ll save money by not reaching for Deliveroo!
Do some gardening
Gardening is scientifically proven to help alleviate anxiety and depression. And it doesn’t surprise me — I love keeping plants and watching them grow, so I can only imagine how great it is to have a proper garden in which to get down and dirty in.
Not only does gardening help you to practise mindfulness, it also gives you the chance to spend time in green spaces, which is also good for our mental health. If you live in an apartment in the city, fret not — you can still enjoy some of the benefits by keeping a balcony garden, or by even just having some plants in the house that you can tend to.
Start a mixed media project
Mixed media is any work of art that uses a multitude of elements. For example, paints, pencils, pictures cut out of magazines, glue, crayons, glitter, cardboard etc.
The great thing about mixed media is that you don’t have to be a whizz at painting or drawing — you can still make something without being particularly skilled in an aspect of art.
Here’s a guide to help you get started.
Tips
Remember, it’s not the end result that matters — it’s all about channeling your energy into something productive. Yeah, some things won’t turn out the way you’d like them to but let it go. Creative tasks are meant to be fun, so don’t put pressure on yourself for it to be perfect. Let go of the result and, with practice, your skill will improve — but try to enjoy the process in the meantime!
Thanks to YouTube, you can find video tutorials on pretty much anything these days. For example, I learnt many origami folds through there. Look for anything crafty that catches your eye and get started!
