Draw your roots: Neurographic Art Therapy

Discover the calming benefits of Neurographic Art Therapy by drawing tree roots. Perfect for busy moms seeking creative self-care and stress relief.

Being a mom means your day is filled with endless to-dos and little time for yourself. Between school runs, meal preps, and bedtime stories, it’s easy to forget about your own needs. That’s why I want to share a creative exercise that offers a calming break and helps you explore your thoughts and emotions. This exercise involves drawing the roots of a tree with the added touch of neurographic art.

Why Neurographic Drawing?

Neurographic drawing is a unique form of art therapy that combines drawing and mindfulness. It encourages you to let go of control and perfectionism, allowing your hand to guide you in creating free-form lines and shapes. Here are some reasons why this practice is beneficial for your mental health:

• Reduces Stress: The repetitive, flowing movements of neurographic drawing help lower stress levels and promote a sense of calm.
• Increases Mindfulness: By focusing on the act of drawing, you bring your attention to the present moment, reducing anxiety and mental clutter.
• Encourages Emotional Expression: The free-form nature of this art allows you to express emotions and thoughts that might be difficult to articulate.
• Promotes Relaxation: Rounding off corners and creating continuous lines can have a meditative effect, helping you relax and unwind.
• Fosters Self-Discovery: This exercise is a metaphor for exploring what lies beneath the surface. It encourages introspection and a deeper understanding of yourself.

The Symbolism of Roots

In this exercise, the roots represent the hidden parts of ourselves—the thoughts, feelings, and experiences that lie beneath the surface. Just like a tree’s roots provide support and nourishment, acknowledging and exploring these hidden aspects can strengthen and ground us. By drawing and rounding off these roots, you create a visual and mental space for reflection and growth.

Have fun with this neurographic art therapy exercise! Please let me know if you’ve tried it; I would love to see it.

You can find a small video of this exercise on my Instagram @thecreativecooldown

Supplies used:

Bristol paper (BeCreativeShop), neocolor II crayons (Caran d’Ache), fineliner 0.3, 1.0 (Ohuhu).

Alternative supply suggestions:

You can use any supplies you have: colored pencils, crayons, markers, watercolors, etc.

Instructions for this neurographic art therapy exercise:

Step 1 – Above the surface: draw grass and the tree trunk

Find a quiet, comfortable spot where you can sit and relax for a few minutes. Gather your supplies and take a few deep breaths to center yourself.

Start at the top of your page by drawing some grass and the bottom part of a tree trunk. Keep it simple—this isn’t about perfection, but expression.

Step 2 – Below the surface: draw your neurographic roots

Below the ground, let your hand guide you in drawing free-form lines to represent the tree roots. These lines can twist, turn, and intertwine as much as you like.

Step 3 – Round off the corners

In the sections you’ve created with the roots, round off all the sharp corners. This step is crucial in neurographic drawing. By softening these edges, you create a sense of flow and continuity, reducing stress and promoting relaxation.

Step 4 – Add color