Managing feelings through self-expression

(Photo Credit: Toa Heftiba)

Raw emotions and unarticulated feelings are sometimes difficult to express. Tapping into our creativity as self-expression can be a powerful outlet for managing one’s emotions. Creative self-expression can take many forms; you may like to write your emotions down privately into journals, stories and poems OR you may prefer to express yourself through music, art or dance. 

EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING 

Nurturing a habit of expressing our emotions can help make us more emotionally intelligent as we better understand our emotions and have words, creative outlets to channel them. When we have a high level of emotional self-awareness, we are able to understand our emotions and why we are feeling them. Understanding what causes us to feel a certain way is the first step to healing. 

CREATIVE FLOW 

When we get into a state of creative flow, our brain waves slow down to what is called alpha waves. Similarly to when we meditate or sleep, when we create and enter a state of flow we naturally tune into a state of calmness and mindfulness. 

Expressive art has the power to connect our conscious and unconscious minds - a practice we barely do in our modern-day lifestyles. Making room for creative activities can have long-term benefits and really improve our sense of well-being, self-confidence and emotional state. 

Read our article about Secrets to stay creative here.

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