How Can an Art Journal Benefit Your Recovery?

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During your recovery from addiction there will be many things that happen that may be very new to you. There may be many things that you have to decide on that are overwhelming to you as well. You might experience higher levels of anxiety and/or stress from one day to another. All of these things and more are bound to happen in your recovery from an addiction. Wouldn’t it be nice if there was a way that you could be prepared for these things and manage all of these emotions and thoughts that are coming at you? Well, luckily for you there are many ways to manage all of these things. One of the best holistic ways for you to do this is by getting and using an art journal. Studies have shown that there are so many benefits for recovering addicts who use an art journal on a regular basis.

What is an art journal?

Before you learn more about the benefits of an art journal it may be helpful to determine more about what an art journal actually is. An art journal can first of all be used on anything. You can put papers together on your own to make an art journal (staple them together, bind them together, etc.). You can buy a writing journal from the store and put paper on top of the lined paper. You can buy an artist notebook at the store or online. There are no rules to art journaling. There are techniques that you can use for inspiration but rules are not on the agenda for art journaling. You can use pencils, crayon, coffee grounds, marker, tissue paper or anything else that helps to release your creative mind.

How can art journaling help you with self-expression?

There are many recovering addicts who have a difficult time expressing themselves. However, this can be learned. If you write or draw in your art journal on a regular basis you can get more comfortable with expressing yourself. The more comfortable you get with doing this on paper, the more comfortable you can become by doing this with others.

How can using an art journal help to relieve emotional pain?

Another benefit that you can have during recovery by using an art journal is to relieve emotional pain. When you write down or draw about the feelings, emotions and thoughts that you are having they don’t feel as strong in your mind and in your body. Just by getting them out onto paper you can feel like there is a weight lifted off from your shoulder and you can relieve the emotional pain that is building inside of you.

How can art journaling give you a better quality of life?

Art journaling really is special as it allows you do so many things. When you draw or write in your journal you can relieve stress, you can create artistic things that make you happy, you can discover new things about yourself and much more. By doing all of these things you are able to improve the quality of your life. Isn’t that amazing? The power of creativity is real.

How can using an art journal improve the quality of your relationships?

Studies have shown that writing and even drawing in a journal about your relationships can help you to express things in a healthy manner. The studies have shown that by doing this you are able to improve the quality of your relationships. For example, if you are very angry with a spouse but you want to talk to them when you calmer then you can art journal first to relieve the anger. Hence, not taking your anger out on them and improving your relationship.
There really are so many benefits of using an art journal during your recovery from addiction. By improving your self-expression, relieving emotional pain, having a better quality of life and improving your relationships you will find that all of these things benefit your recovery. They help to balance out your recovery and all areas of your life. They help you to stay clean and sober and so much more. What are you waiting for? Get an art journal and try some creativity today!

- Cara Gilmore

References:

​https://www.pinterest.com/pin/270216046364839623/

http://www.recoveryranch.com/articles/therapy/art-therapy-helps-heal-recovering-addicts/