(Although this is a sponsored post including affiliate links all opinions are my own)
The lovely people from Winnie’s Picks have approached me with a very exciting freebie to raffle off. They’re offering one of their paint by numbers with free international shipping to one of my readers! I’m really excited about this because there are many reasons that this kind of creativity can benefit someone with a chronic illness. (Raffle now over)
- Relax and reduce stress
This is an ideal ‘single pointed focused calming activity’ which can engage your mind peacefully and give your body’s biochemistry a chance to calm down. Sometimes when our sympathetic nervous system goes into overdrive with the stress response it can be very difficult to relax. When that happens, it can be really helpful to find something that will engage our minds, distracting us calmly. Painting by numbers involves enough focus to do that whilst being a soothing activity at the same time. Often when our thoughts are all over the place, worry and anxiety feedback into the stress, but if you can distract yourself from those kinds of thoughts, the stress response gets a chance to calm down. The rewards of creating something beautiful also help counter stress.
- It can be easily paced
Painting by numbers can be achieved in really small chunks. You don’t have to finish it in one sitting. For those of us with limited energy, we can create something beautiful without overdoing it on any given day. Other types of creativity carry the danger of getting carried away and spending more energy than you’ve got. But paint by numbers gives you an ideal structure for only doing a little at a time.
- You can practise challenging the completion compulsion
In fact, paint by numbers is perfect practise for stopping something before you’ve finished it. One of the things that can be most difficult about learning to pace well, is the compulsion you have to complete something once you’ve started. You can use this opportunity to practise the extremely important skill of stopping before you get too tired.
- Creativity makes the world a better place
The more we can be a natural expression of our self, the more effectively we are able to contribute to the world. Our natural creativity is the gift we have to share. Creativity is a bit like fitness, find a way to regularly practise creativity that’s easily within your limits (e.g. paint by numbers) and you’ll find yourself opening up to your own true and natural creative expression too.
- Personalised gifts
When you paint by numbers, it doesn’t just have to be about the benefits you can gain from it. You could also enjoy the purpose of creating something beautiful for someone else to enjoy. With Winnie’s Picks you can also create a custom paint by numbers from a favourite photo!
(I’ll just need your first name and email address)
The winner can choose a paint by numbers out of the Winnie’s Picks catalogue (custom canvases included). Shipping will be offered internationally as well.
The closing date for entries will be 12pm midday Central European time on Saturday 7th Sept 2019. The draw will take place in a Facebook live on that Saturday afternoon.
*If you’ve come to this page late and have missed the draw and painting by numbers appeals to you, use my affiliate link to order your paint by numbers and I’ll receive a small percentage at no extra cost to you!
A small favour, could you please rate this article using the stars below the related posts. Thank you!
Updated 27/01/21
i was wondering if the paint and printed paper were in a non toxic form, or would i be exposed to chemicals from them ?
Hi Penelope, I’m afraid I don’t yet have the answer to this question, but have passed it on to the people at Winnies Picks and will share the answer when I hear. Warm wishes, Julie
This is the answer they gave me ‘We made our kits tested by an independent laboratory and they conform to ASTM D-4236.’
From what I understand that means anything toxic that’s known to aggravate chronic illness will be labeled on the packaging. Julie
What a wonderful idea! I’d never seen paint by numbers canvases before. I love painting too. So relaxing, but it is easy to get so into it that you lose track of time and overdo things…. I do it all the time!