Stress and the Arts

According to Eric Maisel, "many demands must simply be met if we are to reduce our stress...If we don't get it done, the stress will remain with all sorts of new stress piled on top of it.  Actually meeting demands reduces stress."  Procrastination is one of my worst enemies in art.  An artwork may be challenging, anxiety increases and then I push it off for some other time.  This "pushing off for some other time" only increases the stress and anxiety and, at times, I turn to TV or food to relieve it.  I have found that the best thing is to just show up in my studio and "just do it."  Sounds easy, but it really is an internal war that I fight on a frequent basis.  Be encouraged.  Enjoy!