creativity Archives | Linden and Arc

How are you coping with this global pandemic? With so much uncertainty still looming over the COVID-19 virus itself, it seems we won’t be settling into a new normal quite yet. The VIA Institute 24 Character Strengths can help. Since our human brain is hard-wired to persevere in traumatic situations, history has shown us that we can survive this. We all possess these 24 character strengths and expressing these traits through our thoughts and actions has been shown to help us feel more content, connected, productive, and improves our ability to cope and build resilience during uncertain times. Let’s explore and practice these 24 character strengths that will allow you to cope daily.

The VIA Institute’s ‘On Character: 24 Character Strengths’

Photo credit to Ozum Demirel

The VIA Institute: 24 Character Strengths

1. SPIRITUALITY: Purpose & Meaning

Finding purpose and meaning to your daily life builds character strength. By exporing the collective meaning of this pandemic for humanity, it makes us feel more connected to one-self and others. Consider engaging in spiritual practices to cultivate peace and connection

2. CREATIVITY: Originality

Using your creativity helps make gives human beings a sense of pride and a feeling of peace. Engage in creative activities during the lock-down and generate alternative solutions to schedule changes.

3. PLAYFULNESS: Humor

By cultivating a playful attitude in conversation, you create a coping mechanism that helps with your everyday attitude. Educate yourself and others with humor. Laughter IS the best medicine!

4. CURIOSITY: Exploration & Openness

Exploration of a new topic allows for deeper curiosity and serves as a great distraction. Be open minded and without judgement when you gather reliable information about COVID-19.

5. HOPE: Optimism & Future Mindedness

There is nothing quite like the feeling of hope. It cultivates a sense of optimism and exerts effort for our collective healing. Set a personal goal and generate alternative pathways with hope.

6. JUDGEMENT: Critical Thinking & Rationality

Critical thinking about COVID-19 is healthy. Challenge your own biases while gathering information. As well, make rational decisions with consideration of your fellow man and public health.

7. GRATITUDE: Thankfulness

Show gratitude for health-care workers and other Heroes taking the front line during this global pandemic. As well, write down 3 things you are grateful for each night.

8. LOVE OF LEARNING: Systematic and Deep Learning

Ongoing education and love of learning are crucial for our brain health. Take this time to master a new skill or sign up for an online course. It’s a great opportunity to learn about VIA Character Strengths as well.

9. APPRECIATION OF BEAUTY & EXCELLENCE: Be in awe

Learn to appreciate and be in “awe” of nature’s beauty by taking random walks. Jump online for a virtual visit to world museums and other beautiful places of interest.

10. PERSPECTIVE: Wisdom & View of the Big Picture

Life is all about perspective and wisdom gives you a better view of the big picture. Use a global and collective lens in your decision-making and consider the historical significance of COVID-19 for humanity.

11. SELF-REGULATION: Self-Control

During this stressful time, explore mindfulness to regulate your emotions.
Choose as well to regulate physical and digital consumption for a healthier perspective. There is a lot of pride to be taken for practicing self-control.

12. BRAVERY: Courage & Valor

Be brave! Use the many online platforms to speak up and stand with your truth. Show the courage to support fellow human beings in your community and outside who need help through this crisis.

13. PRUDENCE: Wise Caution

Staying home is a wise decision at this time. If you need to go out, wash your hands, and apply social distancing. Be sure to boost your immune system as well with nutritious food and supplements.

14. PERSEVERANCE: Persistence & Industry

It is through perseverance that success is achieved. Give positive feedback to yourself and others for their effort and remember, “This is global crisis, so hang in there with us!”

15. HUMILITY: Modesty

Always show humility against the power of Earth and practice traits to feed your humble nature. Whether it’s prayer or meditation, always be mindful and show modesty to things out of human control.

16. HONESTY: Authenticity & Integrity

Use online platforms to express honesty and authenticity but using a respectful voice with integrity. Reflect on your personal thoughts and emotions about this pandemic.

17. FORGIVENESS: Mercy & Acceptance of Shortcomings

Show yourself and others the fruits of forgiveness. Realize that we all make mistakes and that this pandemic is new to everyone Have mercy for yourself and others and in return have peace.

18. ZEST: Energy & Vitality

Work on your vitality by taking joyful walks in nature or exercising at home. Try meditation and breathwork to increase your energy level. Enjoy zest of life in quarantine we never could when we were busy working.

19. LEADERSHIP: Organizing Group Activities

Show leadership qualities by creating a positive influence on the groups you belong to. Organize groups and group activities for social service during this crisis where you see the need to be filled.

20. LOVE: Love is Love!

We all need LOVE more than ever, so love anything and anyone you can. Love given is love in return. As well, love the service you can bring to support others during this pandemic. Show love where you are needed. The reward is great.

21. FAIRNESS: Justice Based Moral Reasoning

We all crave justice and fairness in this world. Speak up for equal health care and social justice, amongst other valuable causes. As well, be fair and respect the legitimate fears of your fellow man by being considerate of others while shopping.

22. KINDNESS: Altruism, Care & Compassion

Practice kindness and compassion for yourself and others during these tough times. Show an act of random kindness to help your local community and if you are taking care of someone, do with your whole heart.

23. TEAMWORK: Social Responsibility & Citizenship

You are a local member of the global team fighting against COVID-19. We have a social responsibility to each other because we are all in this together. Respect and consider your teammates!

24. SOCIAL INTELLIGENCE: Emotional Intelligence

Build social connections and awareness on digital platforms and use personal intelligence to ease social interactions during this stressful time. Although we cannot unite physically, we are called to unity in spirit.

Fear and anxiety surround this global pandemic but with the proper survival skills, we will persevere. The VIA Institute 24 character strengths offer wonderful skills to find peace and productivity during this COVID-19 pandemic and gives us the ability to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic and with any curveball life may throw at us. Dig in, practice daily, and have fun! For more, visit: Via Institute: On Character

About the author:

Nora Kassay-Farkas is the Lead Functional Medicine Health Coach and Natural Nutrition Clinical Practitioner at Linden & Arc Vitality Institute. Nora is pleased to provide nutrition consultations and Functional Medicine health coaching to you in your journey to wellness. She offers sessions for CIRS, Brain Health, weight loss, and supports Autoimmune conditions. Contact Nora at: [email protected]

Art Therapy has the powerful healing effect of integrating the left and right hemispheres of the brain. Typically the left side of the brain rules the orderly, statistical, mathematical, logical, practical, rational way of thinking; seeing things in straight lines. The right side of the brain represents creativity and passion. It also experiences taste and feelings, free spirit, imagination, yearning, sensuality, movement, vivid colours, and the senses.

Without activities that stimulate integration within each side of the brain, one side can’t make sense of how the other sees things. You cannot put feelings and expressions into boxes as the left hemisphere would require. They will become restricted. To truly experience feelings, they must be felt. Subsequently, the right brain also has difficulty making sense of how the left-brain sees things. As a society, we tend to be mostly left-brain dominant. This causes an imbalance that can create great disruption in the natural flow of everyday living. This is why it is so important to create integration and balance within both sides of the brain.

Creating Art is Therapeutic

Observing, drawing, and creating art, allows for this integration in the most therapeutic way. We integrate the hemispheres of the brain whenever we do anything that requires logical and creative thought simultaneously.

Another powerful way Art Therapy works to change the brain is by rerouting neurotransmitters. In 1949, Neuropsychologist Donald Hebb described the formation and reinforcement of pathways in the brain through repetition. His quote, “Neurons that fire together, wire together,” coins the thought. Through repetition, we develop habits and ways of being in the world. Though these habits may not always serve our highest purpose. Art Therapy offers an opportunity to explore life in new ways. Using mindful awareness of our emotions, messages from within the body, and tactile sensory expression through art-making.

What is Art Therapy?

Art therapy is a mental health profession using the creative process of art-making to improve and enhance the physical, mental and emotional well being of individuals. This works for all ages. It is based on the belief that the creative process involved in artistic self-expression helps people to improve life. It resolves conflicts and problems, develops interpersonal skills, manages behavior, reduces stress, increases self-esteem and self-awareness, and achieve insight.

Art therapy uses the creation of art as a primary mode of expression and communication (American Art Therapy Association, 2013). It integrates psychotherapeutic techniques with the creative process to improve mental health and wellbeing. Sometimes referred to as creative arts therapy or expressive arts therapy, it encourages people to express and understand emotions through artistic expression and the creative process.

Making Art Spontaneously

By making art in a spontaneous way, one is able to bring unconscious feelings into consciousness. Art Therapy can help a person give expression to their feelings and hidden inner conflicts that they may not have words for. As one creates, they are able to uncover aspects of self that may be locked in the body. When people are then able to associate feelings verbally to the artwork created, the therapy speeds up recovery.

Psychotherapy and Art

The idea of using art in psychotherapy has been around since the early days of Carl Jung. This modality of healing has continued to grow and expand, showing people the benefits of making art in a safe, secure setting. Feelings, once trapped inside the body, will move and expand through the making of art. Doing this brings awareness to ourselves previously uncovered.

Although we may have needed these coping mechanisms at one or more times in our lives, they often become a source of pain as they no longer serve the purpose they once did. For instance, maybe you were bullied as a child and now find yourself on guard and ready to attack when provoked. When in reality the threat is no longer with you.

You can develop a deep-seated fear to speak out for yourself if you were scolded or physically reprimanded as a child for being too loud or acting out. Maybe this stifling of your voice and spirit has even created a thyroid condition or goiter? These emotions in the body are real and will eventually manifest into physical ailments. By bringing mindful awareness to the body, we are invited to let go of these parts that no longer serve us. and hold us back from living life to our fullest potential.

Implementing Art Therapy

By implementing Art Therapy, I invite you to experience the profound healing that both modalities offer. You don’t need artistic expertise and there is never any pressure to fold like a pretzel or push yourself beyond what is safe for your own body. Honour and listen to your body. Step into a new way of being in the world by allowing space for feelings and messages to arise. I look forward to crossing paths with you soon.

Author
Charmaine Husum, DKATI, RTC, CT

Tag: creativity

Creating Art is Therapeutic

What is Art Therapy?

Making Art Spontaneously

Psychotherapy and Art

Implementing Art Therapy

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