Originally Posted on The Coaching Tools Company as 5 Creative Ways to Help Clients De-Stress & Reconnect with Themselves by Ruby McGuire
Our clients (and us) are often frazzled and need a bit of relaxation. Many of us burn ourselves out by juggling work and life—and crave calm.
In this fun article we explore some unexpected ways to help you and your clients find a sense of inner peace and connection.
1. Zentangle: Drawing for a Calm Mind
This is perhaps an art form that’s not so well known. Enter the world of Zentangle, where simple structured patterns transform into intricate works of art. Zentangle is a meditative drawing technique that can result in mesmerising designs.
People are told at school that they can’t draw. Enter limiting beliefs! With Zentangle they realise they can. This simple act of drawing patterns can be surprisingly therapeutic. It quietens the mind the moment the pen touches the paper. Stress dissolves when you focus on one simple stroke at a time.
You don’t need any drawing skills, and you stay focused on the present moment. It’s not about creating a masterpiece but embracing the process and accessing Zen along the way.
Often ‘tanglers’ will say they were so in the zone they hadn’t realised a couple of hours had gone by, and they felt calm instantly. It’s a great tool for mental health issues as it helps you to ‘zone out’ while drawing. Tanglers are always amazed that they CAN draw!
Action: Share the power of Zentangle with your clients, and invite them to do mindful art to help clear their minds.
2. Crafting Calmness
Our grandparents (and even our parents) would often knit or crochet when knitted baby clothes were all the rage. And many a tale would have been told over the clicking of needles.
Knitting and crochet used to get a bad wrap, but now they’re trendy again. But they aren’t just hobbies. The rhythm of the needles can soothe the soul and calm the mind.
I spoke to a few people and asked them what benefit they got from knitting and crochet and the responses were unanimous:
- Both hobbies were relaxing for mind, body and spirit, acting as a useful distraction by giving them something to keep their hands busy.
- Also, having to concentrate on patterns meant they could subconsciously work through their problems.
Repetitive motions help to induce a state of mindfulness. Some people can even knit or crochet while watching TV (I’m one of those people). Plus, there’s always a sense of satisfaction when you’ve created something by hand, whether it’s a pair of wrist warmers or a crochet blanket.
One lady said, “What I love about knitting is simply the transformation of a ball of wool into something useful, beautiful or ideally both!”.
Action: Encourage your clients to pick up some needles/hooks and some wool/yarn, find a simple pattern and get clicking!
3. Dancing: Get into The Groove
We all know the power of music: it can transport us to a different space and time. You know that 80s song that takes you back to your first boyfriend (I’m showing my age here!). And there’s something special about dancing. It can be really uplifting.
Like most hobbies though, it’s not about getting the steps perfect. Instead it’s about being in the moment and having fun.
And it doesn’t matter if you’re dancing in the kitchen or hitting the dance floor with friends. Encourage your clients to let go and move to the music. It’s a great way to shake off stress, boost your mood, and get a little exercise.
Remembering lots of dance moves can also be challenging. So dancing can be good for your brain, emotional release and social connection. And the bonus is it makes you fitter too!
Action: If your client needs a pick-me-up, suggest they put on their favourite song and dance like nobody’s watching. Or they can take up some organised dance: Ballroom, Salsa, LeRoc, Line Dancing, for instance. There is something for everyone.
4. Laughter Yoga: Embrace the Power of Play
Now don’t laugh… This ‘hobby’ really is very strange (in my opinion) and yet absolutely hilarious (no pun intended)!
I attended a laughter yoga session after a conference and couldn’t believe how much fun it was. You can’t help but laugh when everyone around you is laughing. It’s contagious!
Laughter yoga was initially very uncomfortable for an introvert like me, but it was an uplifting experience. Very soon, I was genuinely laughing, which washed away all stress and tension.
Action: If your client is ready to push through their comfort zone and try something unique, then consider suggesting some laughter yoga. You never know, they might love it. If nothing else, they will have a good laugh!
5. Painting Small Figures/Rocks: Tiny Canvases of Creativity
My husband paints small figures, and my daughter paints rocks. That sounds random when you say it out loud! But both can be lovely meditative activities (so they tell me) that allow for creativity and relaxation. And whether it’s tiny figurines for tabletop games or pebbles for decorative purposes, they both find the process very rewarding.
They find themselves so focused on the tiny details and bringing their miniature masterpieces to life that they lose track of time. Both hobbies create moments of mindfulness and introspection as they lose themselves in the creative flow.
Action: Encourage your clients to pull together some supplies—some vibrant paints, fine-tipped brushes and perhaps a magnifying glass for intricate details and lose themselves in this creative process.
Wrap-up
It’s time to quieten your mind! And there you have it—five unexpected ways to help your clients de-stress and reconnect with themselves:
- Zentangle: Drawing for a Calm Mind
- Knitting/Crochet: Crafting Calmness
- Dancing: Get into the Groove
- Laughter Yoga: Embrace the Power of Play
- Painting Small Figures/Rocks: Tiny Canvases of Creativity
Because whether it’s through the soothing art of knitting, the meditative practice of Zentangle, or the healing power of laughter, there’s something here for everyone to explore.
So why not inspire your clients to shake things up and try something new? Who knows, you might discover a whole new world of relaxation and creativity waiting to be explored.
If you enjoyed this article, you may also like:
- Be Kind to Yourself and Get More Done with Radical Focus! by Ruby McGuire
- 3 Easy Mindfulness Exercises to De-Stress Your Clients by Delaney Tosh CPCC, PCC
- 12 Easy Ideas to Get More Done AND Have Fun! (Updated)
