Coloring in mandalas, symbolic drawings of a circular shape, can help express feelings and restore calmness.
In the first trimester, you go through a real emotional storm. You may feel like crying, then screaming and sometimes anxiety may bring you to a stand still. This is pregnancy hormones at work and it’s best not to keep emotions bottled up. Studies show that those who regularly let off steam are better at dealing with stress [1]. A fun and easy way to relieve stress is through art therapy. Throughout your pregnancy, we will talk about different types. Let's start with mandalas.
What is a mandala?
Originally the word "mandala" meant a circle. Today it is the name for round-shaped drawings, which has a central part and four segments at the edges. This is a symbolic model of the world.
Where did mandalas come from?
Mandalas have been used in Buddhist rituals for centuries and are considered sacred. The circle has been a magical symbol in many other cultures as well. Today, mandalas are used by psychologists and art therapists without religious significance.
In the West, mandalas were first popularized by Carl Gustav Jung. He believed that the circle symbolizes a whole person who is separated from the world around her [2].
How can mandalas help with stress?
Some believe that the colors that people use in their mandalas and what patterns they make can help reveal their own physical and emotional problems [3]. But it's not just about decoding symbols. Coloring mandalas is, in itself, a healing activity, during which you can practice being present in the here and now. It is a kind of meditation [4].
What do you need to paint mandalas?
You can buy mandala coloring pages yourself, but it can be a more fulfilling experience to go to an art therapist's class, which will help you work through your feelings with more awareness.
During the session, you will be given a piece of paper or cardboard in a round shape, crayons, pencils or watercolors. You will fill the circle with images — starting from the center.
The specialist will not tell you what to draw — each person will have their own images. Allow yourself to draw in the center of the mandala the first thing that comes to mind. This will help inform what you should draw next. It’s not about making the most beautiful mandala — it's about the process of self-expression.
At the end of the lesson, you can discuss your mandalas and share your impressions of the work of other people.
