If you, or someone you care about, are experiencing signs of trauma or PTSD, consider getting a paint by numbers kit. It's a great self-care activity that's proven toreduce stress , anxiety, and improve quality of life.
How Does Art Therapy Help With Trauma?
There are times where words simply aren't enough to express the great pain and suffering trauma victims may feel. This is whyart therapy is an effective alternative to talk therapy.According to art therapistDr. Gretchen Miller , art is a powerful way to safely contain and separate the fearful experience of trauma. She also states that art safely gives survivors a voice to express emotions, memories, and thoughts when words, simply, are not enough.
It also helps that traumatic experiences arestored in the brain's right hemisphere , compared to speech, which is found in the left. The right hemisphere of the human brain controls creativity, intuition, nonverbal cues, and visualization.
As a result, those suffering from PTSD often find it easier to draw or paint their trauma rather than talk about it. This is especially true with abuse victims who are forced to keep their trauma a secret and “not tell” anybody about it.
Art therapy also grounds victims to reality. Many of those who live with PTSD find themselves dissociating or disconnecting from their bodies, mind automatically reliving their traumatic experience. This often occurs because they chronically feel unsafe inside their bodies.
Art therapy works so well because it allows trauma patients to control artwork outside themselves and relearn that their bodies are safe. It helps victims begin their healing process without being forced to relive terrible experiences. Instead, they'd find internal strength through alternative coping strategies likepainting ,coloring , etc.
What Are the Benefits of Art Therapy For Trauma Victims?
Decades of scientific research have proven that art can not only alter emotions, but also influence neuroendocrine pathways to improve sleep, blood pressure, and immune response. Ergo,art therapy can :- Reduce feelings of stress, anxiety, pain, and depression
- Promote a sense of relaxation and well-being
- Reduce blood pressure
- Promote a sense of self-accomplishment and personal independence
- Encourage healthy coping mechanisms and interpersonal skills
- Help recognize and acknowledge subconscious feelings
5 Best Paint by Numbers Kits to Help Overcome Trauma
As follows are five of the bestpaint by numbers kits to help overcome trauma, chosen based on the kit's design, quality, and difficulty.1. Ifymei Color Lion
[amazon box="B07BF7SCC6"]ions signify justice, courage, and strength. Often dubbed as the "King of the Beasts," the lion symbolizes internal might and power. Color Lion by Ifymei immortalizes these characteristics through this stunningpaint by numbers kit .
What I love most about this piece is the fact that it doesn't come with the typical orange and brown hue of lions. Instead, it depicts a vibrant burst of reds, greens, blues, and purples, to name a few. The lion’s fierce eyes look on with kind understanding and patience, reminding us to be gentle and love ourselves.
Theacrylic paints included in this kit are bright with high color reproductions. Plus, it has enough coverage to completely cover the requirednumber with the correct color .
What's Included In the Kit?
- One 16 x 20-inch pre-printed art canvas
- One set of non-toxic acrylic paints
- Three brushes
- Hanging hooks
- Numbered drawing reference
2. Ledgebay Moonlight Bay
[amazon box="B07MC1GDX5"]Moonlight Bay portrays a profoundly silent night , moon bright and magical against the dark sky. The lake is still without another creature in sight. A lone rowboat sits on the right, while a glowing fire pit steadily burns on the left. It's nature at its finest—undisturbed and quiet, but oh so full of life.
It makes viewers want to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life and sit alone in the middle of nowhere, with only the moon and the trees as their companions. It’s serene, soothing, and relaxing.
This piece fromLedgebay is available in framed and unframed options. It's exclusively licensed to Ledgebay, so you won't find a copy of it anywhere else. Best of all, a portion of the proceeds is handed directly to the artist who created it!
What's Included In the Kit?
- Set of acrylic paints
- Four differently sized paint brushes
- One 16 x 20-inch canvas and easel
- One 4 x 5 color reference picture
- One sample reference on paper
3. Tonzom Our Romance Under Umbrella
[amazon box="B077T5XWG"]Bright and full of life, Our Romance Under Umbrella represents the harmonious magic of the autumn palette.
This piece depicts a couple walking side-by-side in an autumn park under the shelter of an umbrella, brilliantly capturing the beauty of romance. The park is filled with lampposts and trees of all shades and sizes. The gleaming walkway implies that it had just recently rained, filling the world with the earthy scent of petrichor.
In my opinion, Our Romance Under Umbrella symbolizes second chances, persistence, and gentleness. The night is vivid and young, with love lurking right at the corner!
What's Included In the Kit?
- One set of high coverage acrylic paints
- One 16 x 20-inch numbered linen canvas
- One set of hook and screws
- Three paint brushes
4. Kimily Purple Iris Flowers
[amazon box="B08MCYRPB9"]Irises symbolize hope, wisdom, trust, and communication. Bees represent personal power, brightness, and community, while ladybugs represent adaptability, fulfilled wishes, and love. All these aspects appear in Kimily's Purple Irispaint by numbers kit .
With gorgeous shades of purple, blue, and green, thisflower art piece is not only harmonious but a sight to behold!
According to Kimily, the finished project can be kept for over 10 years if properly preserved. This makes it a great wall decor or gift, to remind you or the person you love of what thepainting signifies.
What's Included In the Kit?
- One pre-printed textured canvas
- One set of acrylic paints
- One set of brushes
- Two hooks
5. Paint It! Elegant Bird
[amazon box="B08P9962P9"]Elegant Bird is a beautiful beginner piece that’ll look stunning on every wall. Thenumbers are easy to read and the fillable spaces are large .
The birds in the image—which I'm guessing are Eastern bluebirds—are sitting atop and inside a birdhouse, while surrounded by pink flowers and green shrubbery. It's a lovely afternoon day, and the birds are free of duties and worries. It's acalming piece, as a result it'll surely give you a bit of release!
What's Included In the Kit?
- One framed linen canvas
- One acrylic paint set
- One set nylon paint brushes
- Two hanging hooks
- Two on-trace nails
- Two A5 reference photos
Art Therapy for Trauma - Final Thoughts
Thetherapeutic relationship between art and trauma comes in a form ofpainting , as well as drawing, coloring, etc.Painting by numbers , when used for art therapy, can be one of the best ways to heal and overcome trauma and PTSD.Not only does it reduce panic and hypervigilance, but it also provides an outlet to explore reasons why individuals may feel this way.
More than that,paint by numbers helps artists feel a sense of accomplishment, knowing that the art piece hanging on the wall is a result of sheer patience and determination.
CLICK HERE to browse our complete selection of acrylic paint by numbers kits!