Morale Boosting Art
Work-Life balance was a mouthful before COVID and it’s nothing short of a mess while we are living with COVID.
WFH has had its ups and downs and COVID has brought about many different facets for sure.
Empty nesters call it a ‘silver lining’ because they got to have their college kids back home and they are getting to spend some unexpected quality time with them.
Families with little children have found it very difficult to balance work, home schooling, summer camping from home, and balancing personal life with zoom happy hours.
We have heard that pets are very happy because they have lots of people willing to take them for a walk. Cats, now that is a different story :)
People are working all the time, all odd hours. After kids are in bed, on weekends, from their garage, and I have also seen families spread out on their lawn with their computers. The upside is, we are all noticing flowers, hearing birds chirp, taking lot more walks, and not sitting in our cars for endless hours to commute. Bonus, we have all become experts at Mural and Miro and figuring out how to look good in our jammies.
Downside is, we are all staring at our computers and doing one virtual meeting after another. There is no after work party. Because there is no real ‘after work’ or 9–5 work schedule. No water cooler random breaks. No walking over to your managers office, or cross cubicle chit-chat, no office gossip, no morale boosting Friday pep rallies. (All of this is really important for our endorphins)
Most companies have announced that they will be remote until the end of the year, it makes sense with all the uncertainty but it is also hard on employees mental health and morale.
It’s all work and no structured play!
We are more tied to technology than ever, forced by necessity into this new normal of distance and disconnection. Finding ways to reconnect beyond the virtual meetings is crucial to psychosocial well-being. As we are drawn further into our screens we are also neglecting our biologic drive toward creative production. Pursuits such as painting, baking, gardening, and various forms of craft can decrease stress and provide a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment. Joining our need for socialization with the restorative power of creative arts can improve our mental health and overall well-being. (Linhardt, 2020)
Keeping this changing landscape in mind, Kids & Art has designed fun projects that can bring work teams together for a much needed social connection. The engaging experience can relieve stress and strengthen working relationships. The best part is that your participation provides a child with cancer the same creative opportunity.
Get One. Give One.
COVID affects everyone! Unfortunately, we know that too well.
Our organization has had to stop all our human-to-human art experiences and be there for our patient families virtually. Children with cancer experience long periods of isolation that can last for months or even years (Linhardt, 2019). This can lead to-
- Fatigue
- Behavioral Changes
- Developmental Delays
- Decreased Motivation
For them Art is a must! We cannot let shelter-in-place impact these immunocompromised families any more than normal life already does. Our healing through arts experiences are tested and proven to bring anyone out of a funk.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF ART*
People often choose to display art in their home for aesthetic reasons, but recent studies have shown that engaging with the visual arts can actually improve stress, memory, and empathy, whether by viewing art or creating it.
- Individual Stress reduction
Creating art releases dopamine, the neurotransmitter pathway that boosts drive, focus, and concentration.
- Relaxed/ casual communication/ conversation
The act of creating a work of art draws peoples attention to details and the environment, mimicking the experience of meditation.
- Sharing techniques and problem solving
Participating in complex activities creates new connections between brain cells, leading to an increase in psychological resilience.
- Decrease team tension
Art helps people forget about their problems and focus on positive emotions, while also lowering the stress hormone cortisol
- Have fun, laugh, and share
Laughter is the best medicine.
Reach out to us at art@kidsandart.org if you would like to bring our morale boosting arts experiences to your Amaeyzing Teams.
Find us on social media @kidsandartorg
#artheals #cancersucks #covidresilant #wellbeingweek
*https://www.invaluable.com/blog/benefits-of-art/
Linhardt, D. (2019), Occupational therapy, creative arts, and integrative programming for inpatient pediatric oncology. Unpublished manuscript.
Linhardt, D. (2020). Use of creative arts in occupational therapy: Historical foundation and literature review. Manuscript submitted for publication.
