As an artist and quilter, it’s important to take care of your physical, emotional, and mental health. Incorporating regular wellness practices into your routine can help you be more productive, creative, and focused. Here are three 2-minute wellness practices that will help you to be a better artist and quilter.

Deep Breathing

Deep breathing is a simple yet effective wellness practice that can help you reduce stress, increase energy, and improve focus. Take a deep breath in through your nose, hold it for a few seconds, and exhale slowly through your mouth. Repeat this for 2 minutes or as long as you need to feel relaxed and centered.

Tip: try using an app on your phone to help you to regulate breathing in and out. With practice, it will get easier and easier to find calm with this breathing technique.

You can also try alternate nostril breathing, which involves breathing in through one nostril and exhaling through the other. This technique can help balance the left and right sides of the brain, improve concentration, and reduce anxiety.

Stretching

Sitting for long periods of time while working on a quilt or artwork can cause tension and stiffness in your muscles. Stretching can help improve circulation, reduce muscle tension, and increase flexibility.

Take a break every hour or so and stretch your arms, legs, neck, and back. Reach your arms up to the sky, stretch your legs out in front of you, and twist your torso from side to side. Hold each stretch for a few seconds and breathe deeply.

Tip: It might help to set a timer to remind yourself when it is time to get up and move around. We can become so engrossed in our sewing that we might not even realize how much time has gone by!

Gratitude Journaling

Gratitude journaling is a simple practice that can help you cultivate a positive mindset and improve your overall well-being. Take 2 minutes each day to write down three things you’re grateful for. They can be big or small, such as the sunshine, a kind word from a friend, or a finished quilt or artwork.

Tip: Try to focus on things that are really specific to you and how you are feeling on that particular day.

Focusing on what you’re grateful for can help you shift your perspective from negative to positive, reduce stress, and increase happiness.

The Takeaway

Incorporating these 2-minute wellness practices into your daily routine can help you be a better artist and quilter. They can help you reduce stress, increase energy, and improve focus, all of which are important for creating beautiful and meaningful works of art. So take a deep breath, stretch your muscles, and write down what you’re grateful for. Your mind and body will thank you!

Want more tips? Check out 7 Surprising Ways Quilting Can Boost Your Health and Well-Being and Quick and Healthy Meal Tips So You Can Spend More Time Creating.