Post 2: Self-Care With a Crayon: 3 Creative Practices to Connect Mind and Body

Crayon-Based Self-Care: 3 Creative Practices to Connect Mind and Body

Sometimes self-care doesn’t need to be elaborate.
Sometimes it fits in the palm of your hand.
Below are three simple expressive arts practices that use a crayon to support mindfulness, embodiment, and emotional awareness. All you need is paper — and permission to slow down.


1. Color Your Breath

​This practice connects breath, movement, and visual expression.
Sit or stand comfortably. Hold a crayon and begin making marks on paper:

• Move the crayon away from you as you breathe out
• Pull the crayon toward you as you breathe in

Stay attuned to the sensation of your breath. Notice where you feel it in your body. Allow your breathing to slow naturally.
When finished, pause and reflect:

• How does your body feel now compared to when you began?
• Do you notice an image within the lines?
• What happens when you add color?

This practice supports nervous system regulation and embodied awareness.

2. Mindfulness and Music

Music engages emotion. Imagery gives it form.
Choose music you enjoy — instrumental works especially well. As you listen:

• Notice where you feel the music in your body
• Allow an image or color to emerge

Using a crayon, make marks that move with the music or express the image you sense.
Repeat this practice with different types of music and reflect:

• How does each piece feel in your body?
• How do the images change?

3. The Altered Book

​An altered book is an existing book that is creatively transformed.
Using an old book, crayons, and optional collage materials:

• Color over words or images
• Highlight phrases that resonate
• Connect words to form new meaning

This can become a form of visual journaling — one page at a time. Altering one page a day can be a calming, reflective ritual.

In the final post, we’ll explore two additional practices that focus on image transformation and emotional release.

​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!