How Art Can Alleviate Anxiety & Some Holiday Gift Offerings

As someone who has been anxious her entire life, I notice the moments when I’m not.

In those, I breathe freely. My brows unfurrow. My neck loosens. There’s more room; more possibility.

It happens when I’m so engaged in what I’m doing that there isn’t any space for worry, concern or distraction.

Like at a museum exhibit.

Or listening to a storyteller.

Watching a play.

Hearing music.

Observing clay turn into a sculpture, watercolor become a painting, fabric into a quilt.

Outside, taking photographs.

In the kitchen, plating a dish.

On my laptop, writing.

What connects these moments is art in a multitude of media. Under construction or fully complete.

Recognizing this has helped me understand my attraction to reality shows in which something artful or crafty or beautiful or tasty is made. Project Runway. The Voice. The Sing Off. The Great Pottery Throw Down. Top Chef. Blown Away. Next in Fashion. Making the Cut. Street Art. This Old House. Queer Eye. Or my current favorite, Portrait Artist of the Year: Masterclass. Obsessed!

All of these have an enormously calming effect on me. The way I see it, the contestant-artists go in with a positive approach, hoping for a good outcome. They turn a piece of cloth or a canvas or lump of clay or an air vent (see photo) into something beautiful. They accept that the process may not be linear but they put their whole body and soul into it. They embrace the unknown and trust what comes. They accept that the best laid plans can go awry and then they pivot.

These approaches strike me as excellent tools for navigating the weather systems of life.

There’s science supporting this - neuroaesthetics. Research suggests that the experience of watching or creating of art may actually be an evolutionary mechanism for survival. That we need art in our lives. Sociologist Martha Beck goes further in her new book in which she argues that creativity can shut down anxiety.

Even if you aren’t wired for anxiety like I am, there’s a lot to be anxious about these days. Whether we turn to art for escape or expression, we can move through it into productivity, focusing our thoughts on something outside of our worries and our selves.

I am my most relaxed and inspired when I’m around creatives or immersed in art. So grateful, in fact, that in this season of giving, I wanted to share links to artists whose work has moved me. These creatives are family and friends. Their work delights or stimulates. They are makers and/or shiners of light on makers. They convey darkness, voice outrage, address fear, create community, contemporize history, state truth, highlight contrast and show beauty in stories, plays, photography, poetry, puppetry, podcast, essays, books, spirituality, jewelry, dance, storytelling, music, paintings, sculpture, graphic and fabric art.

(I highlight client work in my newsletters (scroll to the bottom of the page to subscribe) and on my website. In my role of chair of my village’s fine arts commission, I acknowledge artists in my community here.)

May one or more of these provide you with space for breath, respite or inspiration.

Family Members

Phil Barish - music

Emily Barish - fine jewels

Jenny Barish - podcasts

Kelle Leonard - video/film

Rachel Blum – poetry

David Barish - commentary

Ellen Blum Barish – photography

Friends

Marianne Mitchell – abstract art

Alysse Einbender - sculpture

Leah Garnett - music

Nina Barrett - writer and bookstore owner

Sheri Reda – poetry/storytelling

Jill Howe - storytelling

Lori Dube - podcast

Anne Beall – literary magazine and books

Nina Kavin - photography

Roberta Levin – fiber artist and book binder

Debbi Welch - storyteller

Joe Chow - abstract painter

Samuel Lewis – puppetry

Barbara Mahany – spiritual blog and books

Craig Mole - photography

Jennifer Otsuka – art

Stephanie Rogers - storytelling

Chris Walker - photography

Steve Glickman - storyteller

Jane Weintraub - art

Clark Ellithorpe – abstract painting

Megan Wells - storytelling

Gabrielle Kaplan Mayer – spiritual writing

Michael Miles - music

Barrie Cole – playwright and essayist

Lynn Levin – short stories/poetry

Hallie Palladino - playwright

Kim Moldofsky - storyteller and producer

Eileen Dougharty - writer

Jeremy Owens - storyteller and producer

Jules Darling - artist

Suzanne Plunkett - photographer

Suzanne Callahan - dance and arts advocate

Christina Calvit - playwright

Deborah Siegel-Acevedo - writer

Marco Siegel-Acevedo - graphic design

Jeffrey Garrett - photographer

Lee Reilly - writer

Judith Matz - writer

Mary Ellen Sullivan - writer

Jordan Barhydt - musician

Ruth Fingerman - painter/sculptor

Damon Short - musician

Richard Reeder - writer

Donna Lubow - storyteller

Laurie Kahn - writer and consultant for therapists

Judi Goshen - writer

(Friends: If I have inadvertently neglected to include you, let me know and I’ll get your link up!)

To as restful and peaceful a holiday season as can be mustered up!

Gift Guides at Half-Off Holiday Prices!

Know someone who might enjoy a collection of innovative writing prompts? Someone itching for a deeper dive into craft? Consider giving the gift of one or both of my writing guides. Purchase both for $10 (regular price $20.) Find out more here.

Upcoming

A new offering for 2026 for the creatively curious: Creative Companioning.

This one is my shortest coaching option: Three hours of support to help you discover what calls you to the page. Click here for more info.