Chrysalis Healing Center

By Karen Arsenault, Artist, Creative Mindfulness Coach & Chrysalis Community Member

If you have ever experienced being so immersed in creative activity that you’ve lost track of time, then you have experienced Creative Mindfulness!

This happens because creative activities such as art making, crafting, and
gardening ease us into a state of mindfulness by enhancing our capacity for focus, concentration, inner peace, and calm. Regularly spending time in a mindful state has been shown to improve brain function, reduce stress and anxiety, help us sleep better and promote a general sense of wellbeing.

I discovered the benefits of Creative Mindfulness years ago when I was faced with a serious health challenge. During this time, I became curious about the benefits of mindful living and set out to learn how to meditate. As I’d understood it, meditation was how one experienced mindfulness. Although I tried, I couldn’t seem to achieve the meditative state I was hoping for. The part of my brain that analyzed, worried, and planned always seemed busy and I couldn’t quiet it down.

Also during this time, I rediscovered my love of creating art. Before my life became consumed with a growing family and busy career, I loved to paint, draw and work with mixed media collage. My art supplies began calling to me again and I realized that I was getting completely lost in the process of creating. I felt so much better after time spent immersed in the creative process; I felt relaxed, free of stress headaches that often bothered me . . .
just better. I discovered that the meditation practice I was trying so hard to develop was just one of many ways to experience the benefits of mindfulness; creating art mindfully is an active, creative form of meditation. I began scheduling and prioritizing time for creating art. Eventually it became a regular, self-care habit and remains a key part of my continued healing.

I felt so strongly about the benefits of Creative Mindfulness that I started offering workshops to help others develop a creative self-care habit at home, using a few simple creative tools and in as little as 30 minutes a day.
Practicing Creative Mindfulness is not about making art and no special art skills or experience is required! Rather, it’s about achieving a state that makes mindfulness happen. My process-focused Creative Mindfulness
workshops utilize meditative circle drawings and simple mixed media activities, while exploring other practices such as affirmations, expressions of gratitude, and nature as a teacher and healer, to help us experience the
benefits of Creative Mindfulness.

Chrysalis Healing Center is delighted to offer Karen Arsenault’s Creative Mindfulness workshops beginning in 2026. Karen has over 10 years of experience helping others to foster wellbeing through Creative Mindfulness on their own.