Do you enjoy trying new art therapy activities?

Designed to encourage creativity and innovation, arts and crafts provide a means to express your thoughts and feelings in an imaginative way. The therapeutic act of putting pen to paper or brush to canvas can help to improve mental health – from reducing anxiety to boosting happiness.

In this week’s blog, we’re taking a look at a few activities you can try at home to bring your inner creative to the surface and reduce stress:

Art Therapy Activities: Make a Mandala

Originating in Asia, mandalas are an amalgamation of symbols commonly used in relaxation practice. Typically used as a focal point, many like to use mandalas as meditation guides as part of their spiritual endeavours.

Mandalas can be as beautiful as you would like them to be; there are so many variations when it comes to colour, patterns and shapes. 

They can be incorporated into art therapy in a variety of ways – and whilst they help to open your mind in a creative way, they’re great for encouraging mindfulness and conscious breathing as you appreciate the simple beauty of combined colours and shapes.

From colouring to drawing, painting and crocheting, you can enjoy creating your own mandala in a variety of ways. If you like colouring and/or painting, try searching the internet or your local bookshop for a colouring-by-numbers mandala pattern. 

Alternatively, if you enjoy crocheting, there are plenty of patterns available online where you can make your own colourful mandalas to display around your home.

Freehand Painting and/or Scribbling

Here, we encourage you to take ‘freehand’ as literally as you so please.

Whether you’d like to paint a recreation of your favourite landscape, or simply splatter paint onto a canvas for a colour explosion, painting is an incredibly therapeutic activity – so it’s always open to interpretation.

Scribbling is great, too – particularly for those who are looking to relieve any stress they may be feeling. Try choosing a handful of colouring pencils and simply creating a rainbow of colour on a piece of paper, with no real direction or intention. Following this, try turning your creation into something recognisable; draw over the top of it with a pencil, for example, to create a scene/person/memory that springs to mind.

Art Therapy Activities: Create a Nature-Inspired Piece

Taking any opportunity to connect with the nature around you can help to relieve stress and anxiety on a daily basis.

Try heading out to your nearest countryside spot – whether that’s your garden or a local park. Take a mindful approach whilst walking around, and collect any items that grab your attention – whether that’s a leaf shaped in a particularly interesting way, or a beautifully autumnal pine cone. On your return, think about the ways that you can get creative with your items – perhaps you can create a seasonal piece of artwork, or you could create some festive decorations to display around your home.

Make Your Own Terrarium

Do you enjoy growing your own plants?

If so, why not have a go at creating your very own terrarium? Think of it as a miniature garden; encased in glass, terrariums commonly feature a mixture of plants, ornaments and accessories, all compact inside a jar.

Gardening – no matter how you choose to do it – is known to have a variety of positive mental and health benefits, from stress relief to improving fine motor skills.

Starting with a glass vessel of your choice, layer the bottom with stones and gravel to create drainage holes. You can then top this with a thick layer of soil, before adding in your plants and accessories of choice. These should be small enough so that you can fit in a healthy variety.

Don’t forget to water your terrarium each week to keep it healthy!

Take a look at this article for an in-depth tutorial. Alternatively, take a look at our previous blog for some gardening tips and tricks.

Art Therapy Activities: Make a Personalised Collage

Expressive art is a great activity for channeling your emotions and learning more about yourself.

Why not try creating your very own collage? You can personalise it as much as you wish, and get as creative as you please.

Take some time to gather together your favourite items – whether that’s magazine cut-outs, items you’ve saved from your childhood, photographs, textures/colours you like and meaningful quotes – and arrange them onto a canvas, before sticking them down. You can arrange them in a particular order if you wish, or overlap them in a way that looks aesthetically pleasing. You have free reign to do whatever you wish; it’s important to take this opportunity to channel your thoughts and feelings in a creative way!

At Huntington and Langham Estate, we love encouraging our residents to engage in fun, interactive art therapy activities that allow them to express themselves in imaginative ways.

Keen to share some of your own art therapy activities with us? We’d love to hear from you!

Alternatively, if you’d like to find out more about our care or book a tour, please don’t hesitate to contact a member of our team.

Whilst you’re here, why not take a look at our previous blog which focuses on eye yoga exercises?

Has your loved one been diagnosed with dementia?

Support for dementia is important for anyone going through the experience – from the dementia patient themselves to their family members and friends.

Although many people living with dementia have similar symptoms, no two experiences are the same. Some people may feel more comfortable at home with a live-in carer, whilst others benefit from the support offered in a professional care environment.

From safety to family-centred care, in this week’s blog, we’re taking a closer look at the benefits of an experienced care environment in dementia care:

Support For Dementia: Avoid Caregiver Burnout

If your loved one has received a dementia diagnosis, you may decide to care for your loved one in their own home – and if you have a busy schedule, you might seek the support of a live-in carer.

For many, this option is great for the first stages of dementia. It enables the individual to remain in their own home, whilst receiving professional support when they need it.

As the condition progresses, however, your loved one is likely to require much more frequent and specialist support. Like many at this stage, you’ll likely be juggling your personal responsibilities with your caregiving duties – and when endured over time, this can lead to physical and mental burnout.

Whether you wish to seek respite care or permanent live-in care, a professional setting allows your loved one to live in a safe, secure environment with a personalised care plan, relieving you of your responsibilities and offering your loved one the chance to make new friends. 

It’s also a means of allowing you to reserve your energy for family visits, meaning you can show up as your best self and spend quality time with your loved one.

Your Loved One Will Receive Specialist Care Tailored to Their Needs

Combining years of experience with a family-oriented ethos, professional carers use their knowledge and compassion to create a personal care plan for each resident.

Each care plan is designed to enable residents to live as independently as possible, whilst incorporating their medical needs and dietary requirements.

At Huntington and Langham Estate, we involve our residents and family members in the creation of their care plans, ensuring that each detail is tailored to their personal needs, desires and preferences.

Support For Dementia: Peace of Mind With Exceptional Safety and Security

In a residential care setting, you can rest in the reassurance that safety and security are never compromised.

Ensuring that residents feel safe should always be a top priority in any care home, as it’s an important part of living with peace of mind and developing trusting relationships with staff members.

Family-Centred Care at a Home-from-Home

At Huntington and Langham Estate, we’re passionate about providing family-centred care to our residents and their families.

Family-centred care focuses on involving each residents’ family members throughout their care journey. At the estate, we’re also keen on involving family members in our everyday lives, as well as looking into our residents’ heritage and backgrounds to enhance their personal experiences with us.

Carers Can Professionally Track Your Loved One’s Progress

Dementia is a progressive condition, and as such, it requires regular monitoring.

In a professional care environment, your loved one can be monitored throughout the day and night – with any changes assessed against their personal care plan. This then shapes their care moving forward, ensuring that the care they receive is up-to-date and in-line with their condition.

If you’d like to find out more about how we provide support for dementia, don’t hesitate to speak to a member of our team.

Whilst you’re here, why not take a look at our previous blog to discover our top tips and tricks for maintaining your garden?

Have you been feeling stressed lately?

If so, don’t worry – you’re certainly not alone. The events of the past year have taken their toll on our mental and physical health, with instances of illness and self-isolation becoming evermore widespread.

Many of us have missed out on spending time with friends and family, with loneliness particularly rife amongst those who live alone.

It can be difficult to put life into perspective when we are feeling anxious and stressed about the unknown; but every now and then, it’s important to set aside the time for self-care.

So, in this week’s blog, we’re introducing 5 stress-relieving exercises that you can try in the comfort of your own home to help you cope with anxiety:

Try Gentle Yoga Stretches

At the estate, we love yoga. The combination of stretching and deep breathing helps to boost oxygen levels and blood flow, which helps nutrients arrive at the muscles much more quickly and efficiently. It’s also great for stripping the body of toxins, as well as improving balance and flexibility – both of which can positively develop mobility and posture.

Take a look at this article for some great chair-based exercises you can try at home. If these prove too difficult, try lowering your chin down towards your chest for a stretch in the back of your neck. Alternatively, you could try holding one of your legs straight in front of you, before tilting your toes forwards and backwards for a relieving ankle stretch.

Stress-Relieving Exercises: Activate Your Green Thumb

Plants, greenery and wildlife are highly effective at relieving stress. They help to unlock the senses, offering us an array of bright colours, refreshing smells, primal sounds and interesting textures to enjoy.

Try heading out to your garden to enjoy an anxiety-alleviating outdoor experience. Why not plant a new flower, or simply enjoy the fresh air by sitting down with a cup of tea? 

Seated and/or Walking Meditation

Meditation is a brilliant stress reliever. When combined with a gentle stroll outside, your body is enabled to connect with the world around you. This can help to put your thoughts into perspective and clear your mind of unwanted thoughts.

To the uninitiated, meditation can seem intimidating; but there really is no right or wrong way to try it. If you’re a beginner, you can simply stay seated in your chair, close your eyes, and breathe deeply for 5 or 10 minutes. This helps to create a connection between your mind and body, and creates a sense of awareness.

If you’re keen to try the next step, imagine yourself attaching each passing thought to a balloon, and watching it float away. Here, you’re giving yourself permission to let go of the thoughts that are no longer serving you.

If you’d like to try walking meditation, you can take the same approach but just keep your eyes open. Rather, take in the sights, sounds and smells that are around you, and use them to help you get rid of negative thoughts and welcome soothing ones.

Enjoy a Dance 

Dancing to music we truly love can help to release endorphins, our happy hormone.

You don’t need to be a ‘good’ dancer to enjoy this one. If you feel uncomfortable, wait until no one else is around and let yourself go! It may feel a little strange at first if you’re not used to it, but dancing can be incredibly liberating – and will certainly help you shift your attention away from your stresses.

Take Your Pet for a Stroll

Spending time with animals can be an incredibly effective way of relieving your stress. Loyal, loving and compassionate, pets provide an invaluable sense of companionship.

The next time you need a mood-booster, try taking your pet for a stroll around your neighbourhood, and take the extra time to appreciate the joy that such a simple activity can bring. If you don’t have a pet of your own, consider asking a neighbour or family member if you can help out with daily/weekly walks.

If you’re feeling stressed, try any of the above exercises to try and restore a sense of calm and joy into your daily life.

At Huntington and Langham Estate, we’re passionate about providing a calming, peaceful environment for our residents that encourages them to live with freedom, happiness and comfort.

If you’d like to find out more about our care, explore our website or contact a member of our team.

Find out more about the benefits of stress-relieving exercises in this article.

Alternatively, why not take a look at our previous blog to discover why our team is passionate about working in care?