8 ways to practice mindfulness through the arts

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Go to any wellness website, podcast, or book and you’re almost certain to come across the mention of mindfulness.

The practice of mindfulness comes in many forms. From diaphragmatic breathing to forest bathing, the practice of being in the present moment involves being consciously aware of our thoughts, bodily sensations, and our surroundings.

This might look like mindfully eating a slice of chocolate cake – noticing the sensations of each flavourful bite by taking in the scents, textures, temperature, and how it feels in the mouth. It might look like doing a silent meditation and allowing the space to notice thoughts come and go, instead of fixating on the past or focusing on the future.

The benefits of mindfulness are many. Studies have shown that mindfulness can help decrease anxiety and depression, manage pain, break unhealthy habits, improve sleep, boost the immune system, increase productivity, and change the brain in positive ways.

One wonderful way to practice mindfulness is through the arts because not only does it naturally necessitate focused attention while working with art materials – but it can also welcome fun, play, patience, creativity, solutions-thinking, and a sense of accomplishment.

But art-making can be intimidating for some people. “I’m not good at art” is a common concern, preventing them from trying at all. The purpose of mindfulness through the arts isn’t about how skilled one is at fine art techniques. It’s about allowing oneself to go with the flow from moment to moment.