Sometimes it takes a person to sit comfortably and just paint their nails to feel at ease.
Oh yes I have and it came as a shock that there is more to it than what meets the eye: a nice mani with nice shades of color and glittering surface.
Nail art is not only so much about the looks—it’s a sort of therapy that is genuinely capable of improving your psychological well-being.
Not only is nail art fun, but it is also very rewarding no matter if this is your first time trying to paint your nails yourself or if you have done it hundreds of times.
Apart from that, it is also a kind of healing that can help to relieve stress, improve your mood and be a part of artistic therapies.
Now it’s time to explore some of the ways in which, simplifying it to painting your nails, may be the therapy you didn’t know you needed.
The Power of Self-Care
Why Self-Care Matters
We are all so busy doing everything, and at one point, all people need is to be able to take a breather and indulge themselves.
Self-care does not only relate to beauty treatments, it is the process of taking care of your body, mind, and spirit.
And nail art?
That is the kind of small but impactful idea one can use to take care of themselves.
Time taken to select your color and ensure that your brush strokes are perfect is telling yourself that you are important, that you deserve this moment and let tell you it feels good.
Taking care of ourselves isn’t just about baths and facials (and let’s be real, we need those).
It is about searching for that state that is worthy of happiness and hence achieving a state of peace.
To myself and to most people, painting nails is one of the best illustrations of the same.
It is ‘not doing,’ but rather, it is ‘being’, it is time well spent actively engaging in the specialty.
How Nail Art Provides a Sense of Control
Now let’s admit that sometimes life becomes messy.
Loans, deadlines, appointments and the list is never ending makes us lose track of things all together.
But painting your nails?
That’s something that you can manipulate or at least influence to a great extent.
It means you are at liberty to choose the color of the nails, how it is designed and even the details.
This may seem like a rationalization but sometimes limiting one’s choices to just two shows how much control a person has over his life even if everything else around him seems to be out of his hands.
It’s like having your cup of coffee in the morning to start up the day with a better feeling.
You gaze at your neatly manicured nails and feel like what you did, ‘I painted my nails like this.’
There is always hope no matter how hard things may seem.
The Benefits of Nail Art Therapy
It’s a Mindfulness Practice
I’m sure you know the recent trend of people being encouraged to be mindful or to work in the present?
Oh, well, nail art is as far as painting nails is concerned, that is a form of meditating I suppose.
If you are bent on having that shine then you are alive.
Yes, you are not bothered by that poorly composed email you wrote 2 hours ago, or that meeting you have in the morning – you are only charged with doing what is assigned in the present time.
Meditation greatly helps in managing stress and anxiety and nail art affords you a great chance to practice on this.
As you paint each nail, you’re making this moment of zen.
There are no distractions; only the wearer, the nail polish and the brush.
And the more complicated a design is, the more one has to focus, that is why it is easy to forget about the whole head rush.
Boosts Creativity
I don’t know about you but to me, nothing can be more thrilling than being creative.
And nail art?
Oh, it is full of fun and creativity, if I may put it like this, a ground for children to play.
So, you can challenge a dress design to various colors, varied patterns, various textures – everything you fancy.
And the best part?
It does not matter what way is followed, there is no accurate way of doing it.
Nail art in a way is creativity where people can literally paint pictures on their nails.
If it is as plain as bare nails or if you prefer going over the top of covering it with glitter and stones, it is your palette.
And doing such creative things like this has been found to have positive impacts on mental health as well.
You also get an opportunity to engage some sections of your mind which might not be very productive during our usual activities and you can afford to be emotional without necessarily having to say something.
Feeling stressed?
Go for a soothing pastel.
Feeling bold?
Maybe a bright red. Each design turns into an embodiment of your current mood or an emotion you want to express.
It’s a Confidence Booster
Well, let’s be real now, there is no denying that getting a new manicure gives you a certain level of happiness.
Seriously, even though everything else, maybe something bad is happening in your life, just know your nails are on point.
That little boost is enough to set off a chain reaction.
You move differently, you are willing to say what you want, and we can’t forget the part where you have the opportunity to flaunt your effort!
If your day was not great and full of many problems, at least you look down to your manicured nails and you get a little of happiness.
It’s a sort of reaffirmation – that you set aside time to do something for yourself and that can in itself be liberating somehow.
The Therapeutic Process of Painting Your Nails
The Ritual of It All
Getting your nails done means that the process of painting your nails can turn into something that will make you feel grounded and centered.
Everything starts from arranging your working area, having all your things ready: files, clippers, base coat, polish, and up to the regular motions when applying the polish.
It is as though you get a brief reprieve or a brief moment of time where you are not concerned with what is going on around you.
I always think the feeling you get when you are expecting to see the final result is good enough.
But let me not forget the satisfaction that comes with completing the nail art—this is why people share pictures of their nails on social media platforms!
It is an achievement of some sort which feels like a victory.
A Moment of Stillness
That is probably why many of us have understood that there is something about the process of applying nail polish where you have to sit still until it dries, it just slows you down.
There is no running from one place to the other, or doing other things, just waiting, being patient, and allowing your body to relax.
In this age of hustle and bustle it feels somewhat rebellious just to have to sit and wait for something.
The same is also perfect for expressing gratitude or just a small self- evaluation.
How are you feeling?
What do you need?
It’s an opportunity to step back and get some perspective even if only for a few minutes.
How to Make Nail Art Part of Your Mental Health Routine
Create a Calm Environment
Without a doubt, one of the ways of making nail art less stressful is by making sure that the environment is conducive.
Put on your favorite playlist music, light a candle and enjoy some quality time with yourself.
To achieve this, you want to be in a position where you can settle down and actually enslave yourself to the process.
Focus on the Process, Not Perfection
Of course, everyone gets it, nobody wants to have ragged nails that look like they haven’t been touched by a professional nail technician in years.
This is something many people don’t realize: nail art is not about creating beautiful nails, but about the procedure.
Do not frown if you accidentally get a nail messy or the motif is not what you were intending it to be.
The point of it is to find fun in the creative process and take time out.
Accept the mistakes because in real life it is not like that, and that’s why it is so great.
Make It a Social Activity
If you are an instance that enjoys interaction with other people, why not make nail art a fun moment that is shared?
Share with your friends a manicure party or do the manicure art class through the use of the internet.
It is entertaining, and mostly people get to know one another, share many things and just enjoy the moment.
In addition, it is possible to talk with friends while painting your nails which will help to feel joy and relax.
Nail Art as a Reflection of Your Inner Self
Expressing Your Mood Through Colors
What I like most about nail art, for instance, is that it can be used to depict our mood.
If I am in a cool, tranquil state, then I would paint, for instance, in light blue neutrals.
And when I want to be daring I won’t hesitate to look for great colors such as bright pinks or reds.
When it grows out your nails, they become some sort of a part of you and they seem to mimic whatever emotion you’re going through.
It actually kind of mirrors journaling but with some pretty gloss applied on top.
It is photography in a way, but you’re freezing a moment in time and conveying it through color and graphics.
And every time you want to check on your nails, it will also trigger that small boost of iconoclasm and identity.
A Confidence Reminder in Every Stroke
Finally, it is crucial to admit that nail art is not only about the aesthetics of nails but the attitudes and feelings that accompany them.
It’s sort of like a little note to self that can tell you you’re loved, that you have value and capacity for art, and even when your life is a mess, there is order.
Therefore the next time you are in front of your favorite bottle of polish, do not think of it as putting on a mere coat or polish – you are engaging in self-care and practicing your mental health.
Now, who’s ready for a mani session?
