This week marks the start of Stress Awareness Month, an annual event raising awareness of the causes and cures for modern-day stress. At Artsmark, we want to take the opportunity to celebrate the important role creativity can play in reducing stress, and how this can support children and young people’s overall wellbeing.
Stress is a common issue faced by us all and it can have negative effects on our mental and physical health. However, there are many ways to manage stress and reduce its impact, especially through creativity and cultural activities. We’ve collected some free resources to help reduce stress in the classroom, both for students and educators!
1. Go outside and connect with nature
Making time to go outside and connect with nature can be a simple but effective way to reduce stress and improve our overall wellbeing.
Arts Council England’s National Portfolio Organisation London Sinfonietta have launched Composition Challenges – a series of creative activities inviting young people, teachers, and schools to create new music inspired by the works and musical ideas of living composers. Composition Challenge 4: Deep Listening, encourages young people to explore how to make sounds from found objects and compose rhythmic patterns on them. So, why not create unique new sounds using what you can find outside?
The next date to submit compositions by is Wednesday 24 May for the chance to be included in London Sinfonietta’s Summer Composition Challenge Film, which will be released in the week beginning 3 July.
2. Let loose through drama
Participating in drama activities can provide a positive outlet for young people to release stress and build resilience, as they are given the opportunity to express themselves creatively, build self-confidence and develop communication skills. Working collaboratively can also foster a sense of community and support, which can improve our ability to cope with stressful situations around peers.
In this video, A New Direction have worked with Artsmark Partners The Drama Geezers to introduce some quick and fun Drama activities to try out in the classroom. Have fun!
3. Practice mindfulness
Mindfulness activities, such as meditation and yoga, teach young people to focus on the present moment with the aim of reducing worry about the future or dwelling in the past. They can be a useful way to help children and young people to manage their stress and reduce anxiety.
Artsmark Partners and Arts Council National Portfolio Organisation Tangled Feet introduced The Mindfulness Project in 2019, a programme designed to create time to uncover and express thoughts and feelings through creativity. It provides opportunities for children to take time to understand that all our minds get a bit stuck sometimes and learn techniques to manage stress.
By providing a healthy outlet for emotions and promoting a sense of connection and belonging, creativity can help to reduce the impact of stress on our mental and physical health.
Do you have a resource you want to share with us? We’d love to hear from you, get in touch via artsmark@artscouncil.org.uk and share it with us!
