Sunday, August 23, 2015

Finding Peace In a Stressful World



I can't believe it's been a whole year since I wrote on my blog! It's been a rough one.  My health has been a challenge, to say the least, but challenges in life make us appreciate what and who is really important.   At the same time, we all have to find a way to deal with the stress that life hands us.  I usually read or write, but when my stress level gets too high, I overthink everything and end up rereading or rewriting the same page over and over again.

During this past year I have discovered a passion for painting.  I never realized how therapeutic painting could be.  I have always wanted to paint but was afraid to try because I was afraid. However, there are some very good tutorials online which anyone can follow in order to learn basic technques. I am paiting fruit, flowers, trees, etc.  They will never hang in a museum, but my husband likes them and I get hours of peace and happiness.

Did you know that when you paint or do something equally creative your stress level automatically drops?  It is like taking a valium without the side effects or pesky possible drug addiction.  The reason is simple science.  When we create, we use only the right side of our brain which gives the left side, the side that reasons and allows us to feel anxiety, a little vacation.  To increase the effect, play classical music in the room as you paint or do other crafts.  Even if you hate Mozart, just have allow him to serenade you in the background.  Not only will it insure that your left brain keeps quiet, it will also make your right brain very happy allowing you to create better art and feel less anxiety.  All classical music is beneficial, but science has proven that the right brain just loves old Wolfgang!

For more information about the Mozart Effect, go to
http://www.newyorker.com/tech/elements/how-music-makes-us-feel-better
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3112339/How-listening-Mozart-boost-memory-Classical-composer-s-music-linked-increase-brain-wave-activity-beats-Beethoven.html