Beat the blues creatively

Aditi Garg

May be it is the change in weather, may be your kid under-performed in a test, may be a friend snubbed you, or maybe you are just in a mood to sulk; the blues can hit you out of nowhere and leave you feeling inadequate, under-confident, irritable and much more. But worry no more, as there is help available that will help it pass as smoothly and quickly as possible. And no, it is not the pill-popping variety of help that we are talking about but a more creative approach that takes the focus away from whatever is making you feel low. 

As stress becomes a regular part of life, people are becoming aware of the dangers of relying on medications to relax or to get a good night’s sleep. There is a scramble to look for alternatives that are just as potent in their positive effect but do not harm you in any way, in fact these would add to your capabilities. From chanting, cooking, writing, etc to dancing, painting and meditation, there are many things that people claim have worked for them. 

The most famous example of art coming to the rescue of a melancholy soul is that of famous painter Vincent Van Gogh. It was because of his dejection at the hands of society and his romantic interest that he became completely detached. All his frustration and angst found a creative vent in his paintings which had a surreal quality about them, giving birth to an art form called Expressionism. Art not only gave him the solace he needed but fame as well. 

Up in flames

While meditation or chanting may work for some, others find an outlet in things like painting and cooking. Meenakshi Goyal from Ludhiana says cooking is her feel-good activity. “Whenever I am feeling low, I turn to cooking and find it very therapeutic. The simple act of measuring ingredients, tossing, cooking and enjoying their aroma is enough to take my mind off anything that is bothering me,” she says. Cooking can be healing indeed; Love Actually filmmaker Richard Curtis’s daughter Scarlett Curtis tided over her panic attacks, depression and insomnia when she found her love for baking. 

Calm pose

Yoga and meditation have worked wonders for many over centuries. A time-tested cure not just for physical ailments but for chasing away anxiety as well, a lot of people swear by its effectiveness. Yoga centres mushrooming in small and big cities alike are a testament to their popularity. As yoga combines the benefits of physical fitness with psychological wellbeing, there are many takers for it. Anita Singh from Panchkula has been a regular at yoga for many years now and is a strong believer in its healing powers. She feels an hour of yoga everyday gives her a much needed feeling of positivity and she also gets to be with her friends, which is an added bonus. It is about finding what works for you and there is an equally dedicated number of people who say that chanting has transformed their lives. Between reciting mantras and sharing life experiences, there is a lot of positivity that drives away the blues like no other drug can. 

Prune negativity, nurture happiness

Those who have ever crumbled soil and manure together, planted saplings, watered them regularly and watched these bloom find it a spiritual act where one nurtures life and care for it, shifting the focus away from your feelings. According to Sir Richard Thompson, President of Royal College of Physicians, UK, the time that we spend planting, pruning and propagating can prove to be much more potent than costly prescription drugs. 

Power of pen

Writing has always been recommended by counsellors and psychologists alike to deal with stress. Just putting something on paper can give you more clarity about the issues bothering you. Rachel Kelly, an author and poet, beat depression with help from poetry. She details her journey in her memoir Black Rainbow: How Words Healed Me – My Journey Through Depression. There have been many instances of poetry being considered an anti-depressant. The Association of Poetry Therapy was founded by Jung, Freud and Adler, along with others, who understood the way words could heal. In Greek mythology, Apollo, the god of medicine, was also the god of music, art and poetry. There could not have been better proponents of poetry and arts in dealing with stress. 

Expert talk

Dr Rajesh Gupta, consultant psychiatrist, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, says, “Every single activity has the ability to shift our mood. It is important to choose activities that are in tune with your interest. These help you beat stress, emerge recharged and happier.” So, the next time you feel a bout of the blues coming on, head for the garden, break out into a dance or do whatever catches your fancy.