Dissertation distress? Try mindfulness art!

Lana helps us unwind artistically, away from our laptop screens...

Lana Free
4th April 2024
Image Credit: Flickr

It’s no secret that mindfulness helps in times of high stress.  Although meditation is what comes to mind when most people mention the word, mindfulness can encapsulate a lot of things - especially art.

During dissertation-deadline season, it’s so easy to spend all day (or night) in the library making your eyes go square in front of your laptop, and then ‘relaxing’ by mindlessly scrolling on TikTok or watching a film.  Don’t get me wrong, I love films as much as the next person.  But giving your eyes and mind a break from screens will benefit your studies and more importantly, mental health in the long run.

I’ve always found that starting an artistic project alongside your work makes revision and essay writing a lot more bearable. When it feels less like uni work is taking over your whole life, it makes the whole process more enjoyable.  I love finding something to draw - that I know will take me a while to complete - and taking time to myself in the evening to focus wholeheartedly on being immersed in the process.  Putting calming music on definitely helps to get into the zone as well, and you’ll get so lost in the creation that any thoughts of your dissertation will (hopefully) quieten for a little while.  The creative freedom of art can be so relaxing and liberating; it truly is a perfect form of mindfulness for deadline season.

“Starting an artistic project alongside your work makes revision and essay writing a lot more bearable”

A lot of people are stuck on the idea that they “can’t draw” or “can’t do art”, but the beauty of it is that you don’t have to be a highly skilled artist to feel its benefits.  Many people find mindful colouring a perfect way to de-stress without feeling overwhelmed by the need for extreme creativity.  Or even simply taking some old magazines and making collages or vision boards.  The important part of mindfulness art is taking time away from your laptop to do something expressive - even if you’re miles away from being the next Degas or Matisse.

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