Relax, breathe in, and breathe out, calm yourself, meditate...is what people profess to keep stress levels well-balanced. In our present day routines, stress is indeed an unbidden visitor in our daily life, for whom you have to show the doors. People are willing to try as many as therapies and activities to keep themselves de-stressed especially to get rid of ailments-related to stress. Apart from yoga and meditation which is regarded to be the customary way to de-stress, people are now breaking stereo types by saying "I do what i want to" and that's the biggest stress buster. Some trek, some cycle, some chat while some watch movies after movies claiming it to be a simplistic way to allay their boredom and stress.
Out there are newer ways people practice to keep them occupied and regard it to be proven stress-busters. Yep, they believe that hand-made classes like pottery, mandala, zentangle, painting are easy-peasy yet interesting ways to relax their minds.
Any art or product crafted out of one’s skill and passion is the new way of mediation. Such things are no more are called as 'classes' or 'sessions', they are termed as 'therapies'. And, undeniably the elation one derives out of self-creation is beyond any materialistic desire and that is what handmade therapy is all about.
When it comes to 'hand made therapies', the city of Coimbatore is not behind, with so many hand art classes sprucing up in the city and massive WhatsApp groups birthing up to espouse the handmade learning culture, art is sure to flourish.
“The quality to create something beautiful lies in each one of us, so does the quest to create something of your own, all we need to do is dedicate a little time for ourselves to explore and know our innate talent better. I was an IT professional and an admirer of beautiful paintings, each time I would look at a painting, I would wonder how does one find the patience to paint each shade so precisely, till I took up painting. I ensure I paint every day for at least an hour, and not to excel in it and make a career out of it, but to immerse myself into myself and explore the me in me, it’s my way of meditation and certainly a stress-buster”, stated Mrs Neha Jain from the city.
Stating to ‘bring out the artist in you’ is a unique art class at Trichy road called the Simply Arts Studio. Speaking about the initiative, Mr. Dhinakar Perumal, Founder of the Studio says, "I was always very fascinated about pottery. It's a great therapeutic to relieve stress. When i decided to learn pottery, surprisngly there are no professional ceramics studio in Coimbatore. Then, I went to Bangalore to learn more about pottery and here am I with my own studio in Coimbatore. And, I still practice very day to learn better.”
Apart from pottery, Simply Arts Studio conducts classes for sculpting, tanjore painting too.
“I have been attending to pottery classes for the past 2 months. However busy my schedule is, I don’t miss out on my class, because class sums up to be my break and tress buster from all the other tensions that adds on to my day. During the class, my focus is on nothing but on my perusal to create my perfect art piece and the outcome gives me immense joy", stated a student from Simply Arts Studio.
"Every week for just two hours, I practice soap-making. Initially, I attended the classes to understand what goes inside soap bars and the 'customisation' part that hand-made soaps offer really intrigued me. After attending a few sessions, I started making my own soap bars at home during the weekends. Whenever, I feel stressed or mentally tired, I involve myself in soap-making which really has helped me releive from boredom and anxiety", says Shalini, an IT employee.
"I gain lot of weight, when am stressed. Stress also affects my menstryal cycles which inturn creates rest of other problems. As advised by a doctor, I enrolled myself in a meditation class. I really couldn't feel the tranquil nor felt relaxed. Infact, my mind wandered the most during meditating leaving me perturbed. And, that's when I understood de-stress could be accomplished only by involving ourselves in some activities that we would love to. My passion for creating jewellery designs is now my stress buster. Yes, I started making artificial jewellery using beads, crystals and semi-precious stones. And, now I cater the orders made by my friends and family members and am just loving it", says Kanika, who plans to open a online portal to sell her jewellery.
Even the current trend for hand made creations can be seen with the popularity of the yearly exhibition “By Hand from the Heart”. The exhibition hosts stalls with artists from various parts of India, showcasing their handicraft. The exhibition professes to promote more and more artwork made out of one’s hand like zentangles, wall hangings, paintings, accessories, clothing and more but all handmade.
Following the routine of life can’t be avoided but what can be added to life is a dedicated period of quality time to pursue art in any form that is restorative enough to keep you pumped up for the rest of your time.
And, as the famous quote says, "The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another". And, after all, when reversed the word 'stressed' turns into 'desserts'!