Discover the happiness benefits of putting brush to paper with a guide that puts judgment aside and “encourages simple enjoyment of painting” (Library Journal). Meditative, peaceful, and calming, watercolour painting offers a sense of control and self-worth to everyone, with no judgment or goal beyond the joy of painting itself. This book shows you how to calm and enhance your outlook through the movement of brush on paper. Master artist Jean Haines leads you through the journey, putting the emphasis on the joy of play rather than on pressure to perform or produce—and showing you how to wipe away your worries with the soothing, gentle strokes of watercolour paint. “Starting from the premise that everyone can paint, Haines frees readers of the goals and expectations of end results, and encourages simple enjoyment of painting. Open-ended, detailed exercises guide readers through experimenting with paint to gain a sense of control; to relieve stress; to escape; or to be in a better mood. The emotional and psychological properties of color are discussed as are obstacles to creativity and happiness. . . . [a] unique blend of self-care and expression.” —Library Journal

Discover the relaxing, mindful practice of slow drawing Whether you enjoy drawing and doodling or are looking for a way to de-stress, boost creativity, and reconnect with what matters most, this appealing guide will invite you in to the soothing art of slow drawing. With 25 nature-inspired patterns designed to relax the mind, Draw Yourself Calm provides a welcome break from our stressful, always-on world. Ditch perfectionism, tune in to the moment, and nurture yourself creatively and spiritually – one line at a time.

This e-book is a shorter version of the paperback, with the same beautifully designed content excluding the practical exercise pages - perfect to dip in and out, and choose which bits work best for you. Join the Calm revolution. Modern life is hectic and relentless: trains delayed, endless emails filling the inbox, kids squabbling before bedtime... There has never been a more important time to rediscover your pause button. Calm is the book that will show you how to take back a little bit of peace, space and all-important calm. This book contains the simple tools, tricks and habits that will change the rest your life. It is a practical and pleasurable guide to twenty-first century mindfulness. Regular meditation is medically proven to be good for you - it increases focus and creativity, productivity and job satisfaction, mental and even physical health. But in reality most of us don't have time to sit on a cushion with our eyes closed for half an hour every day. And many people associate meditation with hard work and huge lifestyle shifts: you might be imagining Buddhist monks locked in a mountain retreat and living off gruel... This is where Calm comes in. Calm is about simple, achievable habits that work with the demands of your busy life instead of pretending those demands don't exist. Calm does not require specialist training: it uses abilities that every single one of us is born with, like creativity, spontaneity and simply noticing the world around you. Calm is not a set of rules that you need to worry about following or breaking. It is inspirational, practical and non-prescriptive. Onerous, time-consuming meditation might seem out of reach but everyone can achieve calm - including you. Calm combines extracts from fascinating neurological research with wisdom from history's great thinkers and the real-life experiences of individuals across the globe. It demystifies mindfulness and shows you the many simple ways to be mindful while carrying on with your life. It is also a beautifully crafted object, filled with artwork and artistry, that will change your perspective by showing you the pleasures of the world anew. Take a walk with nowhere to go, savour a chocolate on the tip of your tongue, plant a seed, doodle aimlessly, turn off your mobile phone for five short minutes. Smile, breathe and go slowly. Michael Acton Smith has written a game-changing book, one that will finally balance everyone's need for calm with the realities of modern life. Join the Calm revolution. Calm your mind; change your world. Calm.com @calm

A revelatory, pragmatic, and beautifully rendered companion for the millions suffering from mental health issues An invaluable resource for anyone struggling with anxiety, fear, or depression, The Art of Calm is a lifesaving and inspiring guidebook that empowers us to break free from the emotional bondage of mental illness. Bursting with deep personal insight and uplifting practical guidance, this remarkable and therapeutic journey begins by charting the author’s own devastating psychological descent—which included panic attacks so severe they landed him in the emergency room. When the medical system proved unable to provide sustained help, however, a floundering Roger Hutchison turned to his faith for guidance. The healing path God led him on was nothing short of miraculous, offering not only authentic spiritual renewal but also a profound sense of belonging in a world where he once only felt like a stranger. Weaving these personal stories with thoughtful questions, journaling prompts, and a wide range of inspirational practices, Hutchison creates a self-help tapestry of compassion, vulnerability, and action. At the end of each chapter, a colorful variety of reflections and creative exercises—from photography, music, and meditation to cooking, hiking, and art— encourage readers to get up and discover a more centered and peaceful life. The result is an essential tool for finding tranquility in the midst of both inner and outer turmoil.

Mindfulness is a powerful practice to help kids find calm in the midst of everyday stress--but how to make it accessible and fun? In Crafting Calm: Art and Activities for Mindful Kids, kids engage in and practice mindfulness through fun and easy exercises, quizzes, crafts, and activities, with the goal of learning a deeper sense of calm, peace, joy, and connection to the world around them, all while improving emotional intelligence, boosting self-esteem, and reducing anxiety. Perfect for kids to do alone or with the help of an adult, the activities in Crafting Calm will have kids playing, tinkering, creating, and doodling their way to peaceful, balanced minds.

The Calm Book is the ideal tool for children struggling with anxiety or anger issues, that helps them take ownership of their feelings. Written in consultation with child psychotherapist Sarah Davis, The Calm Book is full of playful, interactive coping strategies that will help children to examine their anxieties in a fresh, objective way, and move towards overcoming them. The Calm Book is a friendly and engaging picture book to help young children understand their feelings using simple science. Featuring mindfulness tips, breathing exercises, and calming craft activities that give children the ability to take charge of their own emotional state and the tools to become more resilient. Consultant Sarah Davis is a child psychotherapist, with an MA in Integrative Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy and Counselling. Sarah has been the Young Person's Mental Health Lead for a charity in Hackney and has worked as a children's editor and consultant.

Trying—and failing—can be a path to happiness too. Leela loves to do yoga. She could do all sorts of poses, but there was one pose she couldn’t do. Every time Leela tried to do a headstand…KERPLUNK! This book explores the themes of acceptance, resilience, and self-compassion and offers the message that just because we may experience a failure does not mean that we are a failure. Written as a counterpoint to the message of The Little Engine that Could, Happiness Doesn’t Come from Headstands is a story about a girl who tries her best, but still falls down. Through the process she learns that happiness is not determined by external achievement. Through accepting our limitations and celebrating our efforts, even in the face of failure, peace can be found.