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Color for Calm Contest – Article 1

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Color for calm contest – article 1

Mental health awareness has been a huge topic in the media as of late, but mental health itself is not new. Things like PTSD, depression, and anxiety may have even crossed your path during your lifetime. If you or friend or family member suffer from one or more of these disorders, it is helpful to learn treatment options to share with them.

Amongst the dozens of forms of therapy, one stands out: art therapy. Did you know that artistic expression such as coloring can be extremely beneficial when it comes to dealing with mental health?

We are very excited to announce that we will be celebrating National Coloring Day this year by partnering up with Healthline in their Color for Calm contest. The contest is meant to shine a light on mental health by promoting the therapeutic effects of coloring for stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions.

Starting on August 2nd, you can participate in the contest by ​downloading one of four coloring pages​. Simply color, snap a pic, and tag your chosen judge and @Healthline on​ ​Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter to be considered!

Check Out The Official Contest Page

Art Therapy

Have you ever noticed how intently a child focuses on coloring a page in a coloring book? It may be one of their most prized activities and there is good reason. Coloring is not only a chance to open your mind and be creative, but is a gateway to control. You are in charge of everything about that picture from color choice to design to the stroke of a pencil or paintbrush.

Often, those who are suffering from a mental health disorder can feel disconnected from their own life, unable to control their feelings and outcomes. With art, anything goes. In fact, coloring is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to art therapy. There are also treatments involving both music and dance therapy that boast similar outlets of expression. The benefits of creativity are endless.

Improved Communication

Because art is such an incredible resource for those with mental health issues, it has been shown to improve communication. For someone with PTSD, for example, art helps process traumatic events in a new way. For many, speaking about a trauma is next to impossible. Through art, they are not required to say anything at all.

They just simply draw, paint, or color in any way they choose. Through these pictures of events or feeling, they are able to express emotions in an external way without using words. Oftentimes, this is the pathway that leads to healing. An art therapist can take the pictures and use them to slowly open up conversations on a road to recovery.

Mental health struggles are everywhere, whether it be your favorite celebrity, family member, friend, or yourself. Luckily there are amazing treatments like art therapy that have yielded amazing results. Pass along the info and remember to enter Healthline’s Color for Calm contest before the end of August to help spread the word on mental health.

Alyson Monaco is a published writer, expert in health and fitness, and professional dancer hailing from New Jersey. Her love of how the body works began through early dance training, which lead to a major in Dance at internationally renowned Boston Conservatory. Aside from movement studies, she was trained extensively in kinesiology, anatomy, and nutrition.

These would only aid in her pursuit of both Group Fitness and Personal Training certifications through the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA)/National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM). Alyson has been actively working as a fitness instructor, Personal Trainer, and nutrition coach since 2013 and has been writing on her areas of expertise since 2016. She loves working one on one with people of all ages and ability, and truly enjoys helping people find a better quality of life.

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