There is scientific evidence that people who are chronically ill, disabled, or with emotional conflicts, among other conditions and states of well-being, can heal through self-expression. To name but a few, long term care communities, hospices, and children’s hospitals all incorporate activities using creative self-expression as a way to promote healing. Activities may include music therapy, drum circles, art, and meditation.
Creative expression helps build self-confidence, increases self-awareness and the ability to manage stress. For people who are grieving, creative expression allows unconscious concerns and fears about death to be expressed, promotes intuitive spiritual healing and helps manage anxiety and depression that often results from feelings of grief.
When grieving members of a close-knit community come together to express themselves in a creative and supportive environment, they are able to explore their feelings around their loss, exchange memories of the person who has died, and communicate their sympathies to the family.
Take a look at these handmade cards from a recent workshop. Simple, economical, but most importantly, meaningful.