So, you’re a creative person. It’s supposed to be awesome, right? Most of the time, it’s a blessing with a lot of potential. Other times, it leads to overthinking, paranoia, pressure, and anxiety. When those other times come, and you feel yourself on the verge of a mini-meltdown, here are some tips to put that imaginative mind at ease.
1. Curl up with a good book
This one is a must for creative writers. Not only will a good book inspire and improve your work, it will relax you as well. You’ll be taken away from your troubles - and your pesky brain - for an adventure in another world. It will feed your creativity while also keeping it at rest for a little while so you can recharge. Sit back, wrap yourself in your favorite blanket, and start turning pages!
2. ASMR videos
ASMR stands for an autonomous sensory meridian response. The long name doesn’t matter, but the feeling it gives you does. ASMR is designed to give you a pleasant tingling sensation in response to certain stimuli.
ASMR videos have been steadily gaining popularity over the years. They are videos (mostly on Youtube) made to relax the viewer and feature whispering, pleasant sounds, and other things to give you a nice, calm feeling described as “tingling” by some.
There are quite a few different kinds of ASMR videos, but I recommend trying everything to see what you like. I’ve been following ASMR since its birth and have relied on them nightly for relaxation or simply entertainment and peace.
Roleplay ASMR videos are my favorite, where the ASMRtist (or Youtuber, if you prefer) plays a character. These can be especially fun for someone with a creative mind who can get into the story while also being relaxed and enchanted.
What ASMR feels like
3. Bath or Shower products
Almost everyone has heard of a bath bomb. They can be purchased in many different places, but are primarily associated with the company Lush.
For those who have access to a bathtub, a long, steamy bath is just what we creatives need to unwind. It loosens the muscles and makes a perfect place to slip into our fantasies and let our imaginations run wild.
Bath bombs come in endless scents and colors, and some even make spectacles in your tub using glitters, body-safe dyes, and sometimes even popping candy! If you don’t care for bath bombs, there are bath melts and bubble bars to please your aesthetic eye while nourishing your skin.
For those without a tub, there is still relax in a shower. Shower gels and creams can be invigorating if you need an energy boost or relaxing if you're about to settle down for sleep. There are even shimmer bars, which are like soap bars but packed with fine glitter. You rub it on your skin and start glowing like a real-life fairy princess!
(I’d like to advise caution with any product used because the oils used in them can make the bottom of your tub or shower slippery. Be careful!)
The Experimenter bath bomb from Lush
4. Coloring
No matter what they say, you’re never too old for coloring. People who enjoy painting, drawing, sculpting or any other art form know how important color is in a piece. It can be liberating to throw color theory to the wind with your crayons and markers!
Whether it's a coloring book from the dollar store or an app on your phone, coloring can be a fun and mind-numbing activity for those whose minds tend to race. It combines the pleasure of art with the nostalgia of filling in lines. You can even download a template and use Microsoft paint to fill it in.
Modern technology makes coloring even easier than before, so go ahead and put Lisa Frank to shame with your bright and bursting color schemes.
5. Journal it out
Something that can be both relaxing and rewarding is keeping a journal. It can be a place to write down your thoughts as well as a place to doodle. A journal has endless possibilities for the creatively inclined. You can glue things on the pages to mark memories or to start a collection. You can even make it a diary or place to write down story or poetry ideas. A journal can be your outlet for creativity without the pressure of a project. There is no deadline, only space to fill. You could even do your coloring there!
