Managing stress with creativity

In our lives, stress is a normal phenomenon — especially for teenagers. Stress can appear when we’re in a situation that we think is extremely challenging, and when we think that we don’t have the  ability to solve the problems that come our way.

If stress isn’t under our control, we have to be aware and practice managing stress everyday. 

Let’s take a look at 5 ways teenagers can tap into their creativity as an effective tool to cope and manage stress: 

1. Draw or paint

You can use brushes, pencils, and crayons to create art about objects you love, or that you find interesting and useful. Have these drawings represent your emotions that day and take the time to look back on them as a form of self-reflection.

As a tip, you can collect objects from outside like  leaves, sand, conches, flowers, pine cones, and more  to create your piece of art on your table or wall. You could even share it with your loved ones as a gift! 

Let’s make your own sea ​​crown from seashells and sand:

• Materials: sand, colorful seashells with diverse size and flat, carton paper, scissors and milk glue.

• Use scissors to cut the cardboard into the crown shape you want. Apply glue to the entire surface of the cardboard. Arrange seashells of all colors and sizes on cardboard to your liking to create a sparkling crown. Use sand to spread on the empty spots you want to fill. 

• Expose your work to sunlight until the glue dries and fix the shell on it. Once dry, glue the two ends of the crown into a circle so you can wear it on your head or place it on the table.

2. Make handmade arts and crafts

Knitting or embroidering, etc… is a great way to build patience and focus. You can make cute keychains, bags, scarves, socks, and hats for yourself or to share with your friends and family.  You’ll feel that boiling feeling you feel inside you every time you're stressed start to fade away, and you will be able to focus on solving problems better. Furthermore, when using items that you make with your own effort, you will feel more love and gratitude toward them.

Let knit a heart key chain together:

• Materials: Yarn, hook, scissors, ruler.

• Here is  a video you can watch to make it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0B6pbnbRocs

We’re excited to see your keychains! Share a picture of your creation and tag  us on Instagram if you do decide to make them  <3

3. Play music or Dance

Sing songs you love, swing to the music, play instruments, or listen to music. Let your voice, your body, and your emotions be released and free. Enjoying music and releasing your emotions frequently will freshen your soul, giving you more space to welcome beautiful and useful things. You will see stressors and be stressed, but it will just be temporary. When you come back, you can solve it with a new mindset.

Here are some of my favorite songs!

• Secret - One Direction

• Lucky - Jason Mraz 

• Someone like you - Adele

4. Participate in a play

Try taking on different roles in a school play or a club. Each character in each play has a different story. Auditioning allows you to put yourself completely in the character's shoes and understand what they face, think, and feel. 

Understanding more about people, life, and situations will help you cope better with stress in your life. You will have a better perspective on the extent of your challenges. From there, you can estimate your abilities and seek help if necessary. 

5. Go out in  nature

The energy you get when being out in nature is so powerful. Seeing trees and flowers, sitting on the grass, feeling the cool breeze also relaxes our mind. Spending time in the sun  and going for  a walk can be  very useful. It brings  a charge of energy in the beginning, middle  and end of your  day. 

Summer is a great time to  discover nature. You can go to the beach, play sports, hike, dive, surf, and more!

You can look for parks, beaches, campsites, and hiking areas near you. I also personally like looking for hiking trails on alltrails.com for a nice day outdoors with friends or family.  

The important thing is to maintain your favorite method of stress alleviation everyday or at least almost all days of the week. Don’t just do that in your free time; set it into your schedule. Your soul needs to be refreshed and taken care of every day to be stronger and healthier. This allows your stress management skills to become  better as time goes on.

We hope you grow day by day in your own way with creativity!