You don't have to be good at art for art to be good for you.

Being creative is good for us: it lowers our stress hormones, calms our nervous system and can get us into a flow state. Our innate creativity is part of being human, but it's easy to forget, especially since many of us have been told that we are 'no good' at art.

At a time when mental health challenges are on the rise and support systems are stretched, Creative First Aid is your practical guide to taking matters into your own hands, literally. It's about the proven positive effects of making something - a garden, a story, a meal, a drawing - and the powerful interaction this process can have on your mental, emotional and physical state. It's about being curious, playful, creative and full of self-compassion - even more so when life gets messy.

Based on scientific evidence and a program shown to improve mental wellbeing for first responders and traumatised communities, this inspiring book empowers you with awareness and simple creative tools that can open a door to experiencing delight, awe and joy each and every day. It includes stories from those who have found their way through trauma, anxiety, grief and chronic illness, as well as 50 creative prescriptions you can try, with some taking just a couple of minutes.

Creative First Aid is your roadmap for how to look after yourself on tough days, amazing days - and all the days in between.
 
'Creative First Aid strikes a perfect balance of evidence, lived experience and practical strategies that will not only help when times are tough but will lead to lasting change to our well-being. It's a book that will inspire you to change your life, and the way you see mental health.' - Chris Cheers, psychologist and author of The New Rulebook

'A beautiful, comforting book about the life-changing magic of creativity.' - Briony Benjamin, author of Life Is Tough But So Are You

'In this quietly radical book, you'll find 50 different ways to make lemonade when life gives you those proverbial lemons.' - Broadsheet
 
Publisher: Murdoch Books
Published: 14th March 2024
Pages: 272
ISBN: 9781922616838