Have you experienced a feeling of joy and relaxation when you engage in the arts?
Creative expressions not only give you temporary periods of positive emotions but can also serve as an outlet to express emotions of anger, disappointment, shame and frustration. It can also boost your self-esteem when you can share your art with others and win appreciation.
Research has shown a positive relationship between creative activities and mental health for people of all ages. During the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown, many individuals shared that picking an artistic pursuit and getting involved in creative activities helped them cope with uncertainties, manage loneliness and develop social connections.
With so many benefits of arts to our mental health and well-being, it is important that newcomers and immigrants take advantage of the various opportunities and programs available in the community.
For many newcomers, engaging in creative arts can help build community and expand their social networks. As immigrants from diverse cultures, connecting with your rich heritage and culture through arts provides a sense of identity and belonging that can be preserved and passed on to younger generations.
Here are a few tips to start and continue to engage with the creative arts for your health and well-being:
Research and learn: Visit the local library, research on the internet or attend concerts and events to explore and learn about the various art forms that are available around you. You will appreciate the diversity of your community and educate yourself about artistic expressions that are unfamiliar to you and the benefits they provide to your body and mind.
Pick an activity: You may choose writing, music, crafts, visual art or performing arts such as theatre or dance based on your aptitude, talent, preference and your own personal resources such as time and money. Also, try something totally new from a different culture as well.
Join a club or organization: There are many programs run by the City’s Department of Parks and Recreation, other cultural organizations and non-profit groups for various levels of learners at low cost. Joining a community choir helps you build communication skills and confidence. Many newcomer and settlement organizations also offer free Art clubs for youth and seniors. to join and showcase their talent at community events.
Find a mentor: If you intend to pursue an art form and develop it further, look for a mentor for guidance or join an arts organization that can help you with the right resources and support. Social media can be very helpful in networking and finding passionate teachers.
Stay connected to your heritage and art forms: There are plenty of opportunities to learn and develop your traditional art forms in Canada as many immigrants with passion and training have made Canada their home. Participate in cultural events and showcase your talent with some help from professional artists and community groups.
The healing power of art to promote wellness for those with chronic illnesses and individuals in recovery has been recognized and supported by health professionals. Art therapy programs are recommended for children and adults under the guidance of trained professionals to explore emotional struggles, be mindful, strengthen coping skills and build resilience. Programs tailored for seniors in the community have shown to stimulate and reduce cognitive decline due to the ageing process.
Savour the experience when you enroll in these programs, as it is easy to get frustrated and give up if you are looking for perfection as a beginner. Enjoy the connection it brings to your inner self and the social connectivity to others. Be open to feedback and suggestions. Many newcomers with language barriers have shared that it is therapeutic to share their inner feelings without the need for language skills.
Canada provides plenty of opportunities to preserve and express culture, heritage and arts through various commemorative days and funding for various arts programs. It is important to participate, contribute and support art events that enrich our lives. For instance, May is Asian and South Asian Heritage Month. Let us all put some time aside to reflect, rejuvenate and relish Asian art, culture and traditions. Check for events in your local community or initiate one!
Je, umepata furaha na utulivu unapofanya kazi za sanaa? Maonyesho ya ubunifu sio tu yanakupa vipindi vya muda vya hisia nzuri, lakini pia yanaweza kutumika kama njia ya kuelezea hisia za hasira, kukata tamaa, aibu na kukata tamaa. Pia, unaweza kuongeza kujithamini kwako kwa kushiriki sanaa yako na wengine na kupata uthamini. Utafiti umeonyesha uhusiano mzuri kati ya shughuli za ubunifu na afya ya akili kwa watu wa umri wote. Wakati wa janga la COVID-19 na kufungwa, watu wengi walishiriki kwamba kuchagua utaftaji wa kisanii na kushiriki katika shughuli za ubunifu iliwasaidia kukabiliana na kutokuwa na uhakika, kusimamia upweke na kukuza uhusiano wa kijamii. Kwa sababu ya faida nyingi za sanaa kwa afya yetu ya akili na ustawi, ni muhimu kwamba wageni na wahamiaji watumie fursa mbalimbali na programu zinazopatikana katika jamii. Kwa wageni wengi, kushiriki katika sanaa za ubunifu inaweza kusaidia kujenga jamii na kupanua mitandao yao ya kijamii. Kama wahamiaji kutoka tamaduni mbalimbali, kuunganisha na urithi wako tajiri na utamaduni kupitia sanaa hutoa hisia ya utambulisho na kuwa na uhusiano ambayo inaweza kuhifadhiwa na kupitishwa kwa vizazi vya vijana. Hapa kuna vidokezo kadhaa vya kuanza na kuendelea kushiriki na sanaa za ubunifu kwa afya yako na ustawi: Tafiti na kujifunza: Tembelea maktaba ya karibu, utafiti kwenye mtandao au kuhudhuria matamasha na matukio ya kuchunguza na kujifunza kuhusu aina mbalimbali za sanaa zinazopatikana karibu na wewe. Utafurahia utamaduni wa jamii yako na kujielimisha kuhusu sanaa ambazo hazijulikani kwako na faida zinazotoa kwa mwili na akili yako. Unaweza kuchagua kuandika, muziki, ufundi, sanaa ya kuona au sanaa ya maonyesho kama vile ukumbi wa michezo au densi kulingana na uwezo wako, vipaji, upendeleo na rasilimali zako binafsi kama vile wakati na pesa. Jaribu kitu kipya kabisa kutoka utamaduni tofauti. Kujiunga na klabu au shirika: Kuna programu nyingi zinazoendeshwa na Idara ya Hifadhi na Burudani ya Jiji, mashirika mengine ya kitamaduni na vikundi visivyo vya faida kwa viwango mbalimbali vya wanafunzi kwa gharama ya chini. Kujiunga na kwaya ya jumuiya hukusaidia kujenga ustadi wa mawasiliano na uhakika. Mashirika mengi ya wageni na makazi pia hutoa klabu za sanaa za bure kwa vijana na wazee. Kujiunga na kuonyesha vipaji vyao katika matukio ya jamii. Tafuta mshauri: Ikiwa una nia ya kufuatilia aina ya sanaa na kuendeleza zaidi, tafuta mshauri kwa mwongozo au kujiunga na shirika la sanaa ambalo linaweza kukusaidia na rasilimali sahihi na msaada. Mitandao ya kijamii inaweza kuwa na msaada sana katika mitandao na kupata walimu wenye shauku. Kuendelea kuunganishwa na urithi wako na aina za sanaa: Kuna fursa nyingi za kujifunza na kuendeleza aina zako za sanaa za jadi nchini Canada, kwani wahamiaji wengi wenye shauku na mafunzo wamefanya Canada kuwa nyumba yao. Kushiriki katika matukio ya kitamaduni na kuonyesha vipaji yako na baadhi ya msaada kutoka kwa wasanii wa kitaalamu na makundi ya jamii. Nguvu ya uponyaji ya sanaa ya kukuza afya kwa wale walio na magonjwa ya muda mrefu na watu katika kupona imetambuliwa na kuungwa mkono na wataalamu wa afya. Programu za matibabu ya sanaa zinapendekezwa kwa watoto na watu wazima chini ya mwongozo wa wataalamu waliozoezwa kuchunguza mapambano ya kihisia, kuwa makini, kuimarisha ujuzi wa kukabiliana na kujenga upinzani. Programu zilizobuniwa kwa ajili ya wazee katika jamii zimeonyeshwa kuchochea na kupunguza kupungua kwa utambuzi kutokana na mchakato wa kuzeeka. Kufurahia uzoefu wakati wewe kujiandikisha katika programu hizi, kama ni rahisi kupata kukatishwa tamaa na kuacha kama wewe ni kuangalia kwa ukamilifu kama mwanzoni. Furahia uhusiano unaoleta kwa nafsi yako ya ndani na uhusiano wa kijamii na wengine. Uwe tayari kupokea maoni na madokezo. Wahamiaji wengi wapya wenye vizuizi vya lugha wameshiriki kwamba ni tiba kushiriki hisia zao za ndani bila haja ya ujuzi wa lugha. Canada hutoa fursa nyingi za kuhifadhi na kuelezea utamaduni, urithi na sanaa kupitia siku mbalimbali za ukumbusho na ufadhili kwa programu mbalimbali za sanaa. Ni muhimu kushiriki, kuchangia na kuunga mkono matukio ya sanaa ambayo hutajirisha maisha yetu. Kwa mfano, Mei ni Mwezi wa Urithi wa Asia na Asia Kusini. """Hebu sote tuwekee muda kando kutafakari, kuamsha na kufurahia sanaa, utamaduni na mila za Asia." Chunguza matukio katika jamii yako ya karibu au kuanzisha moja!