Stressed. Anxious. Restless.
That was the initial state of students and staff from CT State Asnuntuck Community College who participated in my Cut Loose de-stressing collage clinic. I encouraged attendees to jot down their emotions upon arrival, and the consensus was clear: they felt overwhelmed. Sponsored by the college’s Mental Health and Wellness department, the event aimed to showcase how art-making can help manage stress.
A study by The American Institute for Stress reveals that 80% of college students frequently experience stress. This stress, particularly about academic performance, adversely affects both their mental and physical health. Ironically, it can also lower academic performance itself. Emotional stress ranks high among reasons students contemplate dropping out of college.
Creating art acts as a stress reliever, regardless of one’s artistic talent or self-perceived creativity. Students and staff at Asnuntuck discovered firsthand that spending just 20 minutes away from their phones and to-do lists to make art could help them relax, focus, and feel a sense of accomplishment.
In today’s productivity-driven world, finding time to pause can be rare. Yet, the clinic embraced the essential idea that taking breaks is not only okay but necessary and beneficial. With simple tools like magazines, comic books, scissors, and glue, participants created cool collage bookmarks—and crafted moments of peace.
A Shift in Perspective
At the heart of the clinic was a simple, yet powerful goal: to show that stress relief can be both accessible and enjoyable, with art-making techniques anyone can try at home. We aimed to integrate creativity into daily life as a form of self-care and to foster an environment that encourages positive interactions and mutual support.
The clinic proved to be a turning point for about 15 participants, a mix of eager students and intrigued staff members, who embraced this creative retreat. As the session progressed, the change was palpable. Feelings of stress and nervousness dissolved into a shared sense of focus and tranquility, almost as if the act of creating art pressed a reset button on everyone’s stress levels. But the experience went beyond just providing a temporary break; it led to emotional and personal growth. Anxiety and uncertainty were transformed into happiness and a sense of pride, illustrating the profound impact of art on fostering resilience and uncovering joy.
By the end of the session, what emerged were not just cool bookmarks but a palpable sense of achievement and community. The clinic proved that art has the power to heal, connect, and transform.
As participants left with their creations in hand, what they really took with them was a newfound appreciation for the role of creativity in managing stress and fostering emotional well-being.