your artist hands – selfcare222

Recently I was asked how can artist’s practice healthy self care?

The most important thing is to

Eat outside of the studio.
This includes drinks.
That means leave the studio to eat.
Food and paints don’t mix, they are bad for you.
You could accidentally dip your brush into your coffee or ice tea – (ugh) not suggested!
Take breaks to stretch your back, neck and arms
Roll your wrists around, stretch back your fingers
Log down the amount of time you wish to paint today
Stick to it
Everyone needs daily exercise (yoga, Pilates, weights, swimming, boxing, cardio – etc) Start small every other day .
I cut off old socks and pull them onto your wrists and forearms when pouring resin – even if I purchase the non=toxic kind, I don’t like that stuff on my skin.
Then I put my gloves over them .
I always wear old paint clothes and then change when I am finished.

On Meditation – Daily

It just takes a few minutes (breathe in on the count of 4, relax your shoulders, jaw, forehead and neck) now exhale on the count of 4.
Do this several times – the more you do it the better you get.
I always put rose cream on my hands prior to putting them into the gloves
I will smell this cream and then put my gloves on
It’s a ritual – when I am finished and have washed my hands, I use coconut oil on my cuticles, hands and arms.
When I am finished, find a nice relaxing spot, cool spot, darker spot
Use the Calm app on your I- phone
Listen to some great relaxing music for 15 to 20 minutes and do nothing else
Or listen to someone talk you through some meditation exercises
Its free and there are loads of things to do there
(I meditate twice a day – more if I need it)

Later – happy painting and meditating

tsh