Healing Arts

The Visual Arts

Visual Arts offer a powerful way to explore experiences, communicate perspectives, connect with others, bridge differences, and inspire dialogue on key issues in a manner that draws people in. Engaging with the arts is also a creative and safe way to help people cope with stress, illness, trauma, addiction and other concerns. Whether creating a simple drawing or collage, looking at art or talking about it, the arts can help you:

• Express thoughts and emotions that can be hard to put into words
• Lower stress and anxiety
• Relax and feel calmer and happier
• Find meaning in life experiences
• Connect with your deeper self, no matter what you are going through
• Form new connections with others
• Create something unique that gives you a sense of pleasure and accomplishment

The Literary Arts
Writing, journaling and storytelling are powerful forms of self-expression. They are tools to help you get to know yourself better, and the more you know, the more active a role you can play in your health. The physical act of writing can also be an effective method of de-stressing and has a similar effect on the mind as meditation. Your breathing slows down and you get into a zone where words flow freely from your head.

During our narrative workshops you will participate in close reading, reflective writing, expressive writing exercises and group discussions. These are not creative writing workshops. Our workshops will help you express yourself and encourage you to begin writing down your story.

Studies show that the act of ‘writing oneself’ is proven to have mental and physical health benefits in the following areas:

• Coping with life-threatening or chronic illness
• Recovery from addictions
• Eating disorders and trauma
• Repairing troubled marriages and family relationships
• Increasing communication skills
• Developing healthier self-esteem
• Getting a better perspective on life
• Clarifying life goals
• Boosting the immune system

The Performance Arts

Many studies have been published supporting the use of performance arts therapies. Research shows these therapies can help to:

• Reduce illness-related stress and anxiety
• Relieve pain
• Provide a means of self-expression, positive engagement and communication
• Improve self-esteem, social skills and social bonding
• Lower symptoms of trauma
• Enhance treatment for addiction
• Boost mental skills and mood, including feelings of peacefulness, satisfaction and calm
• Help people discover new meaning through the illness experience

If you would like to take part in any of the activities please contact the HERA team via telephone  01273 712175, email contact@robinhoodhealth.org or visit the website https://www.theheraproject.org.uk/all-hera-workshops