Self Care for Art Therapists
Just an important reminder that mental health professionals also need to practice self-care! You all are doing wonderful work and doing your best to change your practice during this difficult time. Just remember to maintain healthy boundaries if you are working from home and keep up with self-care practices.
Art for Self-Care
Do a virtual tour of the Kirkland Museum or other art galleries:
Self-Care Assessment From Creativity in Therapy - Carolyn Mehlomakulu, LMFT, ATR-BC
Which of these self-care activities do you already do and which ones do you want to add to your life? Make time for self-care on a daily basis; don’t wait until you are distressed.
Self-Care Assessment PDF link
- Take regular breaks during the day
- Be aware of your emotional state
- Regularly assess your self-care plan
- Do an emotional check in before and after work
- Do small exercises or stretching
- Practice grounding techniques
- 1 minute meditation
- Host a video art party with friends and family.
Art for Self-Care
- Make messy artwork
- Make artwork about happy memories
- Create a piece of art in response to a quote
- Create, craft, doodle or color anything!
- Do a blindfold drawing
- Practice mindful coloring, you can color a coloring book
- Create a sensory basket for yourself and use it
- Create your own essential oil using sunflower oil, dried petals, gems, etc
- Join a Facebook Group that has Free Reference Photos for Artists: Free Reference Photos For Artists
- Check out these images that Paris Museums released for free: Public Art Domain
- Send in some art submissions about COVID19: Call For Art Submissions
- Participate in the Museum of Isolation Art: Museum of Isolation Art
Do a virtual tour of the Kirkland Museum or other art galleries:
- All the virtual concerts, plays, museums and other culture you can enjoy from home
- Tokyo National Museum
- Neon Museum Live Video of Tim Burton's Work
Self-Care Assessment From Creativity in Therapy - Carolyn Mehlomakulu, LMFT, ATR-BC
Which of these self-care activities do you already do and which ones do you want to add to your life? Make time for self-care on a daily basis; don’t wait until you are distressed.
- Listen to music.
- Spend time outdoors.
- Get exercise at least 3 times per week.
- Do meditation, yoga, mindful breathing exercises, or guided visualization.
- Eat healthy foods.
- Eat a healthy amount of food, 3-5 times per day.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Limit my caffeine intake, especially after lunch.
- Make time for enjoyable activities.
- Journal.
- Spend time with friends that are fun and supportive.
- Create, do art, craft, or build something.
- Read for pleasure, not just school/work.
- Keep my room clean and organized.
- Tackle a task that I have been avoiding.
- Explore new places or try new activities.
- Spend time with pets.
- Pray, attend church, or other spiritual activities.
- Laugh.
- Accept and listen to my feelings.
- Express gratitude to myself or others.
- Get enough sleep every night.
- Wake up at a consistent time each day.
- Take medications as prescribed/directed.
- Get help for or take care of illness and injury.
- Refocus on something else when I am ruminating.
- Inspire myself with poems, quotes, or images.
- Wear clothes that express you, make you feel good, or are comfortable.
- Say no when I need to.
- Ask for help.
- Balance responsibilities and fun.
Self-Care Assessment PDF link
