Calm the mind with art in COVID-19 lockdown

When we began 2020, there was a lot of celebration about the beginning of a new year and a new decade. Every astrologer, psychic and numerologist spoke of how this year was a big one.

Sadly, none of them predicted that the world would be plunged into a crisis with the COVID-19 outbreak. Or that we would be sitting in a lockdown in our countries praying that social distancing will flatten the curve of a virus that still has no cure.

We live in a world that is more focused on self-care and finding inner peace than ever before. Yet, it seems almost impossible to attain. The shift of our focus on these subjects is indicative of our environment.

If you watch the news, logon to social media or read the news, then everything seems awful all the time.

The world around us seems to be in chaos, no wonder we are having such a hard time managing our stress to find inner peace.

Yet there is some positive that has come out of this situation.

One silver lining to this COVID-19 dark cloud is the healing of nature and amazing sights as the skies turn a beautiful shade of blue. Migratory birds return in droves since Man isn’t around messing up the environment.

Dolphins have been seen in Venice and on Saturday I saw pictures of pink flamingos in a place called Navi Mumbai. This photograph is amazing because on first view, you’d think it was a field of pink tulips!

The theme for Earth Day 2020 on Wednesday was climate action. The enormous challenge — but also the vast opportunities — of action on climate change have distinguished the issue as the most pressing topic for the 50th anniversary.

Silver linings of the lock down continue in its effect of helping nature heal. There are more news reports of dolphins coming nearer to shore in America and lots of wonderful activities in the marine flora and fauna.

This will eventually help all of mankind in the long run.

 

 

Nearer to home, the gardener told my daughter during her walk with the family pet about a few species of birds that haven’t been seen in Delhi in years coming to our back lawns.

As a senior citizen, I’m not able to go out. But I do get reports of the sightings and take vicarious pleasure that something good is still going on. My artist heart beats a positive note.

Even though I have no control over the world, I do have control over my internal dialogue.

I choose to think positively because I know my thoughts determine my actions which shape my life experience.

 

I seek refuge in my art that further helps me calm my mind.

I see even more creativity in the world of art than I have seen during non- COVID-19 times.

Some artists are observing all that is happening, reflecting on it and then expressing it through their art.

Some are using their celebrity status to raise awareness about social distancing and simple actions like washing hands for 20 seconds.

In times like these where one can turn hostile to others, they are also taking to the television to teach us about the difference between social and emotional distancing.

In India, they are also contributing the Prime Minister’s CARE Fund for those affected by the epidemic needing help. Ordinary citizens are being urged to be part of the fight against this deadly virus.

Theaters, music festivals and literary fests might be closed but artists are using their ingenuity to adapt. We’re seeing live streaming of concerts and performances with the musicians located in the comfort of their own homes yet coming together to give concerts.

The beauty of this approach is the musician artists find an avenue to manage their own stress while giving us the gift of art to calm our own minds.

 

There is an artist hidden inside each of us and the difference is the tools we use.

When you try your own hand at art whether it is painting, crafts, music or even writing, you get a finer appreciation of art. You’ll also connect to your core self from where you can build resilience to the stress of a truly uncertain future.

Perhaps you were good at art in school or played an instrument? Have these activities fallen to the side?

Now is a good time to take them up again while you’re in lockdown. It will make the day go by faster and you’ll experience better mental health.

Need help to brush up rusty skills? Check out Udemy for courses or do a google search for an online class.

Or perhaps you appreciate art?

Why not visit the numerous online art galleries and even museums like Getty and enjoy the virtual tour of the museum as well as the priceless works of art they have?

There are various platforms: from interactive, 360-degree videos and full “walk-around” tours with voice over descriptions to slideshows with zoomable photos of the world’s greatest artworks allowing viewers a closer to the art than they could do in real life.

When I’m not working on my paintings, I’m enjoying visiting these museums virtually.

Check out this site of Google’s top museums that are offering online tours and exhibits.

There’s more than just art museums on that site. It’s definitely worth a visit for any culture fan who wants to calm their mind.

My favourite is the Musée d’Orsay, Paris that holds the largest collection of Impressionist and post-Impressionist works in the world. You can click your way through the very best among them thanks to interactive galleries featuring van Gogh, Cézanne, Degas and more.

How are you planning to use art to calm your mind during COVID-19 Lockdown?