Mandala Coloring Therapy

From Donica

Mandala Coloring Therapy

Size: Any size, any age

Equipment: Printer or digital graphics program like Paint Shop. For printed copy you'll want coloring gear like felt markers, watercolor paints, pencil crayons, glue and sparkles etc. Good posture is highly recommended while coloring; find a coloring location/posture that supports this.

Objective: Many people find meditation incredibly hard to get into, even though the benefits are well documented. With Coloring Therapy, a state of meditative awareness is easily attained, because the focus needed to gain observation of our inner dialogue occurs in the coloring.

SUMMER TIP FOR PARENTS: Going on a roadtip this summer? Looking for something to entertain the kids on those summer days when it's too hot to send them outside? Download some of these coloring pages and have a contest of who can color them the most elaborate. Or color it with only three colors. The possibilities are endless! 

http://www.free-mandala.com/en/start.html

http://www.doodle-art-alley.com/

P.S. Post some finished Mandalas in the comments so we can enjoy your artwork!! :)

Mindfulness

This handout is also from Pinterest!  Enjoy!

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Spa Day

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submitted here by Celeste K. T. Brooks of Washington Center for Aging Services on November 21, 2000

Size: Varies

Equipment: Tables(round is best), Aroma therapy products (bath gels, lotions,all should be allergy-free) , Manicure items, Hair products, finger bowls, sprays, Large container of hot water, small containers of ice water, Video tapes,TV:VCR set up, Stereo system,CD's, Audio tapes, LOTS OF STAFF: manicurists, cosmetologists, hairstylists, massage therapist, reflexologist or a lot of volunteers who can serve in these functions.

Objective:

To relax the residents
To increase socialization
To increase level of self esteem
To provide a variety of sensory stimulation
To increase levels of participation
To increase residents' quality of life
To have fun

Description: Have the room filled with relaxing sights, music and scents before the residents arrive. Have at least four stations with different activities (manicures, facials, hair styles, hand massages, etc.). Invite your residents in. Make sure that you have presented each resident with each station (or with as many as they will tolerate). Introduce the residents sitting at the same table to each other. (You should hear some of the conversations that come up, it's like sitting in the beauty parlor) Provide the services! This activity usually takes 2-3 hours. Make sure that you keep the music playing and the scents flowing. Our male residents enjoy it as much as the females. We purchase products especially for the men and they like to sit and watch their girl friends get dolled up!. We implement this event in a large group setting maybe three times a year. We have smaller versions of SPA DAY on the units in the solariums or as individual sessions in the resident's rooms. One of our residents always comes to this event in her wheelchair (she is blind and very hard of hearing). However, after she has received "the works" she struts not walks to her unit guided by her ANA. Many of our volunteers are staff members from other departments, who give maybe 20 minutes of their time to help. However, make sure that all of your stations are manned by people who can remain there throughout the entire activity.

Inside Snowball Fight

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submitted here by Becky Cates of Timberlake Healthcare, Farmerville LA on December 15, 2009

Size of Group: small to large 

Equipment: large marshmallows, bags to hold them. Scarves, hats and gloves 

Objective: Lots of laughter and fun 

Description: We have a annual snowball fight every December. The staff and residents are involved and gives them time to mingle with one another. Fill bags with large marshmallows and hand out to residents and staff members. Have everyone wear scarves, hats and gloves. Anyone can start the game but be ready to fire back when the first snowball is thrown. You will find that the laughter can be heard down every hall in the facility. After the snowball fight serve hot chocolate with peppermint sticks to stir.

Self Care Card

This just popped up on my Pinterest feed and I couldn't wait to share it for a Friday handout!

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Beach Party

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submitted here by Melinda Dykes of Lincoln Residential Center, Brookhaven, MS on Tuesday, January 07, 2003

Size: Large group

Equipment: beach balls, beach towels, sand pails, food,lemonade, Beach Boys music, volleyball, sunglasses, frisbees

Objective: Socialization

Description: Decorate for a beach theme. Dance to Beach Boys and other "fun in the sun" music. Play volleyball and frisbee. Give sunglasses to all who participate. And, last but not least, eat plenty of snacks and drink plenty of lemonade!

Chocolate Party

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submitted here by Jennifer Piatt of Do-It Leisure

Size of Group: Any amount

Equipment: Various forms of chocolate, including different boxes and containers that chocolate comes in. You can also find information about the history of Chocolate, chocolate word searches, and trivia.

Description: Have everyone sit in a circle, or around a table. You can structure the party anyway you want. You can talk about different chocolate (dark, milk, etc) as well as different forms it can take. You may even want to get the clients to cook a chocolate treat. We usually read the history of chocolate, tell chocolate jokes, and get everyone to describe their favorite type of chocolate. After you describe s type of chocolate, make sure you have enough samples for everyone. This group is always a hit around valentines day. Everyone comes, talks laughs, and has a great time. Don't forget to have milk for the beverage!

Expected outcome: To increase group discussion, to reminisce, and focus on sensory stimulation

Lend a Fish

Found this activity here.

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submitted by Nancy Hahn of Sidney Square Care Center Pgh PA on Thursday, June 14, 2001

Size: Individual

Equipment: Small plastic or acrylic fishbowls, water, Beta or goldfish, fish food, film canisters, a spray of water greens if desired

Objective: A Relaxation technique,an anti-anxiety aide,a self-esteem enhancer

Description: Place a single fish in a bowl. Very inexpensive bowls often even with lids,are available in pet shops. These fish can be left in viewing distance of patients,or in the rooms of other residents for a few days or up to a week. They are fascinating to watch, and require little care. I have found them especially effective with vent patients who often are so intent on their next breath, that they have a high level of anxiety or just can't relax. We break a spray of greens into very small pieces and put a sprig in each bowl. It is best to use colorful or high definition fish. A few colorful pebbles are nice in the bottom, but not necessary. We use bottled water for our bowls, avoiding the additives needed for tap water. These have become very popular at our facility, we even have family member request them, and residents have certain favorites. If anyone has questions I can be reached at bunnyhopping@yahoo.com\\

Nature Collage

Thanks Heidi Bolster, CTRS for submitting this activity!

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Materials Needed: Construction paper, national geographic magazines, glue, markers, Scissors (if appropriate for the group)

Description: Have patients create a motivational collage using images from nature. Talk with patients about how nature can inspire, uplift, and help us with our physical, mental, spiritual, emotional etc. health. Talk about what images the patients chose and why, and discuss how nature can help them through hard times in their life.

Watercolor Trees

Thanks Heidi Bolster for this awesome activity!  It works great with some of our lower functioning geriatric patients.

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Give each Pt. a copy of a silhouetted tree. Instruct the pts. to water color the different sections of the tree (as divided by the branches), into different colors. Allow the Pts. to use whatever colors and styles of painting that they want in order to foster creativity and expression. If a Pt. wants to add more detail, show them how to add texture to their painting through different strokes and styles of painting. 

Tissue Paper Trees

Heidi Bolster, CTRS submitted this art therapy activity.  It's a lot of fun and great for fine motor skills.

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Give each patient a blank piece of paper. Instruct the patients to draw the outline of a tree with whatever style of trunk they desire (You can instruct them to design it according to their personality i.e. Make a twisted trunk if they are a complicated person, or a straight branch if they are sure of themselves etc.). Then allow the patients to color in the trunk and branches of their tree. After they are done, allow patients to tear tine pieces of tissue paper of whatever colors they choose to create the leaves for their tree. Instruct the patients to glue the leaves on their tree.

*If you have a significantly low functioning patient, you can print out a picture of a tree, have them color it, and assist them in gluing on the tissue paper.

Sensory Hands

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submitted by Cynthia Soucy, CTRS of Harborside Healthcare Willowson April 30, 2005 

Size: any size, but preferably no larger than 14

Equipment: washcloths, lotion (regular from facility or sometimes I use aroma therapy lotion from Bath and Body Works), music for calming and relaxation, a basin, warm water, and small garbage bags, Purel

Objective: Objective is to calm the patients down in the morning after breakfast and treatment and for more individualized attention.

Description: The activity is simple but rewarding. At my facility I do this on Tuesdays and Thursdays with my dementia patients. This was started by one of my co-workers.

Put on the music in a private room, preferably a room with a sink.

Next fill up a large basin with very warm water. Put in your washcloths to get them nice and warm. Place one of the garbage bags next to the basin/sink for used washcloths.

Then, one patient at a time, take a washcloth and cover the persons hands for about a minute. You will instantly see their faces relax. I also use this time to orient them to what day it is. Put the used washcloth into the "garbage" bag. Then put lotion on the patients hands and give them a hand massage. If you are using the aroma therapy lotion, allow them to smell it. I like the relaxation or awakening lotions because they really seem to have a good effect on the patients mood.

Continue this until all of the patients are taken care of, and then return them to the activity room. Make sure to wash your hands between each patient or use Purel! It is all about infection control. Also have fun! 

Features of Mindfulness

Today's handout was also found on Pinterest, but originally posted here.  How do you encourage patients to practice mindfulness?

Floating on a Cloud

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This is another relaxation exercise I utilize in some of my groups.  You can find the script here.  It describes the experience of floating on a cloud and relaxing your body, calming your breathing, and controlling your thoughts.  Pair it with some peaceful, relaxing music and it makes for a really productive and meaningful group.  Enjoy!!

Stress Relief Activities

Yes, Friday's handout will be a little early this week... But I found this on Pinterest and loved it because of how it incorporates all of the senses.

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This is a great resource for discussing coping skills.  Share it with the group and see what other ideas the patients can come up with.  It might be fun to divide into five groups and have a competition to see which sense has the most ideas associated with it!

Wildlife Sanctuary Guided Imagery

I love doing guided imagery and relaxation with my patients!  Here is a link to one of my favorite relaxation scripts.  It talks about a wildlife sanctuary, and I have a Nature's Sounds CD that I put on as we go through the exercise.

This is a good activity for discussing coping skills or dealing with anxiety.  After reading through the script with the patients, we talk about how we felt during the activity and how powerful relaxation can be.

Enjoy!!

How to Draw a Zentangle

Zentangle Art is a great way to promote relaxation and creativity for your patients. I found this great HOW TO from the website http://www.squidoo.com/how-to-zentangle. SO simple but can have a great impact on the patients! This project works great in art therapy sessions to help the patients learn a new skill and fill confident in their own and unique art piece. 

Begin small, work on a piece of paper approximately 3.5" x 3.5" (9cm x 9cm).

I am using a pen for the initial steps so it shows on the scan but you should use a pencil.

Draw a border around the square of paper, about a half inch (1cm) from the edge as shown. Do it freehand and let it be 'rough'.

Draw a 'String'

                                                         

Again, with a pencil, draw a light random line within the border - it can be anything but keep it simple to begin with. Rick and Maria call these lines 'strings', which helps you to visualise the kind of lines that work. You are aiming to create areas in which to doodle. Experiment until you get something you are happy with.

Fill Your Zentangle

                                     

Switch to a black fine liner pen and begin to fill the shapes made by your string. Oh... and put some soft music on and allow your mind to wander. These simple patterns are called 'tangles'. You can see lots of them at Zentangle.com

Are You Relaxed?

                                      

Keep going. Don't fret over what pattern to use, you will find as you do more, that the next pattern seems to suggest itself.
My example here is very rough and I seem to have misplaced the border while scanning, but I'm sure you get the idea.
As you can see, I have worked up to the border, making my Zentangle a square, however, you don't have to do that - leaving white space can work well too.

All Done

                                                                                                                        Here is my rather rough and ready example finished.
Erase all the pencil lines and use a little shading in order to make your drawing more three dimensional.