A grassy inlet at Jekyll Island

Family Fun!

I've enjoyed having all my kids around the last few days. My daughter (okay - technically stepdaughter, but I hate that word), came out from Washington State with the grandkids on Saturday. Due to COVID-19, I haven't seen them in over a year - which is way too long!

First, we all got COVID tests. Thankfully, they were all negative so we could gather responsibly. We got to spend the last four days together.

We hiked, went to the Aquarium, had lots of great food, and more. 

Being with family is healing, and I think it's super important right now. Pandemic or not, we're never promised tomorrow. 

You know what else is healing?

Art Is Healing

Did you know that art is healing? It's puzzling to me when I enter a doctor's or dentist's office and there's a total lack of wall decor. Worse yet, some doctor's offices sport an old ugly paint job or a tired once-trendy-now-outdated wallpaper pattern. 

It's depressing, and I always hope the doctor's medical skills are more up to date than their office decor!

Decorating done right can last a long time, and it makes a huge difference. 

Health is about more than the absence of disease. Good health encompasses a constellation of behaviors and feelings - social well-being, physical health, and mental health. Achieving overall good health requires balance. 

Art and creativity are part of that balance. 

Art Reduces the Length of Hospital Stays

One study revealed that hospital patients participating in art and music interventions had reduced hospital stays.

Patients with photos of beautiful landscapes on their hospital room walls needed less pain medication and were discharged from the hospital earlier in comparison to patients without the photos. 

I thought about this the other day when I came across this website: artastherapy.com. You click on the issue that's bothering you - be it anxiety, love, or politics. Then you click on a sentence that describes how you're feeling. 

The website presents you with a piece of art and an explanation. The site is lacking in choices and not many of the sentences applied to me, but I liked the idea behind it. 

The creation of and participation in art is healing. 

I have a small home so I don't have a lot of wall space, but I have lots of art spread around the house - some made by others, and some of my own. 

I have some bright colorful pieces and some calm pieces, such as a beach print.

I also have family photos and some pieces found at flea markets - like my Sacred Heart of Jesus and Mary.

It's an odd mix but each piece brings me joy. Marie Kondo would approve!

Happy people live longer, so why not surround yourself with things that bring you joy?

Joy is the most important part, which brings us back around to that poorly decorated doctor's office. Why not surround yourself with beautiful art, both at work and at home? 

Better yet - do some creating of your own! Write, paint, dance, take photos...anything that gives you a creative outlet. 

It's one piece of the happiness puzzle.

It's easy to see all the bad things that are happening in the world, and social media is designed to stir up your emotions and make you angry.

Don't fall for it.

Be informed about the things that need changing, but also remember there's a whole lot of good happening in the world too, it just doesn't create ratings the way bad news does.

Wishing you a happy day!

And, see you between the raindrops!

xoxo,
Susan

PS - If you need some beautiful art of your own, I'm here to help, and I'll definitely have another sale between now and the holidays.