Post 1: Self-Care With a Crayon: Blog Series

Self Care with a Crayon

Self-Care With a Crayon: Why Creativity Belongs in Everyday Wellness

Color your (inner) world with a crayon.

When we think about self-care, we often picture routines like exercise, nutrition, sleep, or mindfulness practices. While these habits are essential, creativity is rarely included as part of everyday self-care — and yet, it plays a powerful role in emotional and nervous system regulation.
Several years ago, adult coloring books surged into popularity, becoming a multi-billion-dollar industry. Mandalas, intricate designs, and themed pages filled bookstore shelves. What did this moment reveal?
It showed us that many adults were craving:

• A pause from daily stress
• A way to focus attention in the present moment
• A gentle, accessible form of creative expression

Coloring offered an escape — but more importantly, it offered regulation.

Why Don’t We Color More?As adults, many of us associate creativity with talent, productivity, or performance. Somewhere along the way, we learned that art needed a purpose or outcome. Crayons were left behind with childhood.

But creativity does not require skill.

Self-care is about maintaining physical, emotional, and mental well-being. Research consistently links self-care practices to:

• Improved mental health
• Reduced stress
• Increased productivity
• Stronger relationships
• Enhanced quality of life

And yet, crayons rarely make the list.
Let’s change that.
Crayons are simple, tactile, and forgiving. They invite play, experimentation, and sensory engagement — all of which support mind-body connection.
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In the next posts, we’ll explore five expressive arts–based self-care activities using a single, accessible tool: a crayon.

​Ready to Explore More?

The Art of Emotional Wellness workbook offers guided expressive arts practices designed to support self-concept, emotional awareness, stress reduction, and personal growth. No artistic experience is required—just curiosity and a willingness to explore.

Explore The Art of Emotional Wellness workbook and begin your creative wellness journey today.

Learn more about using creativity for personal growth and healing!