Mindful art and drawing can heal and ease anxiety. Over the years as a Mindful Art Facilitator and Teacher Trainer, I’ve heard stories from students of how a single brushstroke helped them reconnect to their breath, or how doodling during a hard day brought clarity, and this reminds me why this work matters so much.
There is something beautiful about knowing we are not alone in this. That no matter where we are in the world or what we’re going through, we can all return to something simple, creative, and mindful to feel a little more grounded and whole.
To continue supporting your creative self-care and inner calm, I’ve created a new video and gathered some of my favorite mindfulness tips and drawing exercises in this blog. Whether you're just beginning your journey or looking to deepen your practice, I hope this serves as a gentle pause in your day.
In this blog, we’ll explore:
The origin of BreathDoodles™
Three easy mindfulness tips you can practice in under a minute
A guided BreathDoodles™ mindful drawing session
How coaching support can strengthen your creative path
As always, I’ll also share how Mindful Creative Muse can support you through resources, creative tools, and community, so you don’t have to walk this journey alone.
The Origin of BreathDoodles™: A mindful drawing practice for anxiety
Have you ever noticed how simply drawing a swirl or wave can help your body soften and your thoughts slow down? That quiet noticing is what first sparked the idea for BreathDoodles™.
Years ago, I was guiding a mindful art class when I observed something beautiful. As participants moved their pens slowly across the page, syncing each stroke with the rhythm of their breath, their entire presence began to shift. Their shoulders dropped. Their faces softened. The energy in the room became more grounded.
That small, almost invisible moment led to a big realization: drawing with the breath could be a doorway to deeper calm, presence, and healing. So I began experimenting, inviting students to pair soft, rhythmic doodles with long, gentle breaths at the beginning of class.
What happened next surprised me.
Before we even moved into the core lesson, people were arriving in their bodies. Tension was melting. Worries were quieting. Without needing perfect words or formal meditation, students were regulating their nervous systems through a felt, creative experience.
Over time, BreathDoodles™ became a beloved ritual, a mindful drawing practice that anyone could do, no matter their age, art background, or stress level. It offered something so many of us long for: a way to come back to ourselves, simply and kindly.
Today, I continue to teach BreathDoodles™ as part of my therapeutic mindful art Muse Journaling™ method. Whether you're a busy parent, a therapist, a creative seeker, or just someone trying to catch your breath, this practice gives you permission to slow down. To be gentle. To express without needing to explain.
The benefits of BreathDoodles™ go far beyond the page. Here are some benefits I’ve noticed for myself and my students:
They help regulate the nervous system during moments of stress or overwhelm
They encourage mindfulness without pressure or perfection
They support emotional release through gentle movement
They awaken creativity in a soft, approachable way
And they help you reconnect with the body, the breath, and the present moment
Even just a few minutes of BreathDoodles™ each day can begin to shift your energy, soften your thoughts, and bring more clarity and compassion to your inner world.
It’s a small act. But like the breath itself, it holds so much life.
Three Easy Mindfulness and drawing Tips in Under a Minute
You don’t need long or complicated practices to reconnect with a sense of calm. Sometimes, just a few seconds of mindful attention can help you reset. A simple way you can create small moments of stillness during your day is Drawing the Breath.
To begin, choose a color you feel drawn to, and make a simple dot on your page. As you slowly inhale, draw a line moving upward. As you exhale, draw the line moving downward. Let your breath guide the movement of your pen. This helps you tune into your body and breath, creating a soft rhythm that brings focus and ease.
This easy mindfulness practices take less than a minute but offers a powerful reset. It creates a gentle pause that invite presence and a bit more spaciousness in the middle of a full day.
In this video, Mindfulness and Art Exercises to Destress, you’ll be gently guided through a calming BreathDoodles™ session. This mindful art practice invites you to slow down and connect to your breath through soft, intentional drawing. Whether you're brand new to mindful art or simply need a quiet reset, this guided session is a beautiful place to begin.
As you draw, you’ll focus on your breath and the movement of your hand. The rhythmic strokes mirror the natural rise and fall of each inhale and exhale. With every gentle line, you may begin to notice your thoughts softening and your body letting go of tension. There’s no pressure to create anything “good” or “perfect.” Only an open invitation to show up and feel.
BreathDoodles™ Course offers more than just a drawing activity. It’s a form of embodied mindfulness, helping you regulate your nervous system, soothe anxiety, and bring clarity to a busy mind. Over time, practicing this technique can help you return to a more grounded, peaceful state—even in the midst of everyday stress.
You can return to this video any time you need a moment of calm or creative connection. There’s no right or wrong way to follow along. All you need is a pen or pencil, a piece of paper, and a willingness to breathe and be present. Let the simple act of drawing become a way to care for yourself.
Let this practice remind you: your breath is always with you, and so is your creativity.
Quick Creative Read: Drawing to Ease Anxiety
If you’re pressed for time, check out my blog post filled with simple drawing techniques to ease anxiety. These methods are quick, gentle, and made for busy lives.
At Mindful Creative Muse, we believe your creative path is sacred. We’re here to offer resources, community, and inspiration so you can walk that path with presence, purpose, and heart. Let creativity be your compass, and let mindful self-care be your steady foundation.