A Ruff Day Remedy
Art has always been a therapeutic outlet for me, but as a mental health nurse, it has become essential to my wellbeing. After long and emotionally demanding shifts, sitting down to draw provides me with a way to decompress, reflect, and re-centre myself. The act of creating allows my mind to shift from constant emotional vigilance to focused calm, providing a space where I can breathe, process the day, and detach in a healthy way.
Art helps reduce my stress by offering a quiet distraction that supports emotional regulation. Just as I advocate self-care for those I support, drawing is an outlet for stress I have practiced for myself.
Professionally, I’ve also witnessed how powerful art can be in supporting others. I’ve integrated art-based grounding techniques into treatment plans and watched residents and patients find peace, presence, and self-expression through creative work. Also, by incorporating art-based grounding into treatment, I have observed first hand the reduction in emotional distress and potentially self-damaging behaviours, providing a safe outlet. It can calm distress, ease agitation, and provide a voice when words are too difficult. Art is not only a personal tool for reducing stress and healing but a professional one I believe deeply in for promoting positive mental health.
