Coping with stress through expression and creativity
When you bottle your emotions for too long you risk those emotions coming out in ways you didn’t intend.
The expressive arts offer a way for exploring and processing your feelings in a safe way. Creative expression can help you move your feelings out of your body and bring down the intensity.
You don’t have to know how to draw, dance, or sing for this to work for you. Here’s some expressive arts to consider:
Keeping a mood journal
Tracking your feelings and emotions can help you identify stress triggers. Your journal is where you can express your sadness and anger without worrying what anyone things.
You don’t have to say a lot to keep a journal. Even just writing down a few words on how you felt that day can help your process your feelings.
For example: Today the 3 emotions that were most present for me were: happy, sad, icky, bored, nervous, angry
I have a feeling that these were the things in my life that lead to those emotions: school, work, homework, family, friends.
Try this twice a day! Keeping a mood journal can help you process stress and other feelings.
Keep an affirmation journal
When you’re stressed it can be hard to focus on the positive. Keep a journal of nice things people have said to you, nice things you’ve thought about yourself, and images or words that inspire you. That way, you’ll have something positive to go to the next time you’re feeling down.
Even when I know I’m having a stressful moment or day, I know I am (beautiful, loved, appreciated). Even when I don’t feel my best, my friends remind me that I am (a great friend, so funny, always loved)
Drawing
Drawing is a natural way to express creatively. You don’t have to be “good” at it! Drawing can relieve stress and help you work through complicated feelings you have no words for.
You can draw whatever you want – things you see in front of you, something in nature, even just scribbling on paper or doodling can be helpful.
Try imagining how you’re feeling in the moment, and draw lines that correspond to that. Like this: happy, sad, angry, nervous, bored.
You can use whatever materials you want: pens, pencils, finger paint, watercolor, digital drawing, whatever you have on hand. Drawing can help you express how you’re feeling when words aren’t enough.
Express yourself through music
Singing, playing an instrument, or listening to music can be a wonderful way to soothe yourself.
Whether you dance by yourself to your favorite music, play an instrument, or go to a dance party, using music to get out your feelings can be a powerful way to unwind.
Try it: press play on our playlist below and just let it all out!
What to do next
Join Q Chat Space
Are you an LGBTQ+ teen? Join one of our many moderated chats at Q Chat Space, where you can talk to other LGBTQ+ teens and trained facilitators.
