Artist Self-Care
Hello cozy artists!
In this blog, I’ll be sharing some artist self care tips that have helped me. And you don’t necessarily have to be an artist to do these things; they’re applicable to almost everyone. These are just some of the things I like to do for myself and I think could benefit others. I’ve divided them into two categories: health related and extrinsic tips.
Health Related Tips:
Stretching
This first tip is regarding stretching. Now as artists we can take for granted how much strain we actually put on ourselves to create art. If you sit in a hunched position for a long period of time; you’ll notice that when you try to get up, your back is in pain.
Also, depending on how you draw, you can eventually give yourself carpal tunnel. These small injuries can build up over time and you’ll find that you won’t be able to create art as easily as before. To prevent this strain, it’s important to stretch. You want to stretch before drawing, take breaks in between and also after. This may seem tedious but it will benefit you in the long run.
A really good book to look into for stretching for artists is ‘Draw Stronger’ by Kriota Willberg. This book is illustrated like a comic book making it fun to learn about stretching and also helpful for visual learners like me. I was able to borrow the book from my local library, hopefully they have one at yours. If not, you could always buy one at a bookstore or the internet.
Getting Good Sleep
This can be easier said than done. I know when I get really stressed out about problems, I toss and turn until it’s 4 in the morning, which is not healthy at all. But I have been trying to do better.
I find these things help me: a hot cup of chamomile tea or a warm cup of milk with honey, and reading before bed instead of doom scrolling. All the usual suggestions. I do have a strange one that does help me to get to sleep. At the end of the day put your feet up for a few minutes. I don’t know why but this also really helps me. Sometimes I have to be careful to not fall asleep like this.
Exercise
This is an obvious one. Regular exercise is key to overall health. In my 20s I could do more strenuous exercises but now in my 30s I find that I do more walking and strength workouts. You need to have a routine that works for you and your needs.
Eating Well
Another obvious one, but still important. I do enjoy indulging every now and then, but I do my best to eat healthy most of the time. I’ve been doing my best to get in enough protein, veggies and having probiotic foods as well. Taking care of your gut health is really important.
Journaling
This is good for your mental health. Getting out your frustrations on paper helps it live on the page and not in your mind as much. And seeing your problems written out, you may realize that they may not be as bad as they seem in your head. Even if you can’t solve the problem right away, at least you start to workout your frustrations in a healthy way.
You can also write down what you’re grateful for. Gratitude journals help us to see that even if we face daily challenges, we still have many blessings to be thankful for.
Colouring
If you haven’t done art in a while, this could be an easy reintroduction. You don’t have to be fancy or even follow colour theory. Just do your best to fill in the page. Have fun like a kid again. Once you get your creative flow it’ll help encourage your other projects. I also offer some printable colouring pages in my little boutique if you’d like to try them.
https://www.raeclairdelune.com/littleboutique-Bi1fd/colouring-pages
Reading
Another good one for mental health. I mostly like fiction but I do read nonfiction as well. I urge you to visit your local library and seeing what they have to offer. Or even try using the Libby App to see which e-books are available and this can help you escape into different topics or genres of literature.
Relaxing Self-Care
This may seem a bit trivial but it’s still an indulgence that I like to have every now and then. Facials, manicures or pedicures. I used to do facials more frequently in my 20s (at home, not at a salon.) Now, I find that I don’t have as much time or I’m too tired. I still like to paint my nails. Little things like these can add some joy to our busy lives.
Extrinsic Tips:
Going on a nature walk
Visiting any local parks can help inspire your art. You can take pictures of any wildlife or plants that you can use for future art projects. And even just surrounding yourself in nature can help you to relax and let go of stress.
Going on a little field trip
Visiting your local library, an art gallery or a museum or an aquarium, can be helpful if you have artist’s block. When going to a local art gallery, you may be inspired but seeing what other artists have created or what different mediums they’ve used. I always enjoy these outings and it’s a nice break from the usual routine.
These have been my artist self-care suggestions. If you have any to share, please leave them in the comments below. Thank you for reading this blog, it was a long one. Take care of yourselves, cozy artists!
Below is a link to my youtube channel, I share some more helpful tips for cozy artists there.
