Why Watercolour Is Surprisingly Good for Your Mental Health

Grab yourself a cuppa and settle in. Let’s chat about something close to my heart: how watercolour painting quietly works its magic on your mind.

If you’re anything like me, you didn’t pick up a paintbrush thinking, ‘I need a form of therapy’, but this is the added bonus of watercolour.

1. Watercolour slows you down

Watercolour is beautifully unpredictable. It forces you to pause, breathe, and observe what the paint is doing on the paper.
You can’t rush it — and honestly, that’s the point. I love switching off to everyday stress and making my focus the paint and the paper!

2. It gets you out of your head 

That dreamy state where time disappears and you feel fully absorbed?
Watercolour is amazing at getting in that head space.

As the colours blend and create soft mixes, your mind finally has something soothing to focus on. It’s the same effect meditation gives — without needing to sit cross-legged or pretend you’re thinking about nothing, which I struggle with, my mind doesn’t naturally want to ‘switch off’, so that’s why painting is so perfect for me.

3. It encourages acceptance 

You can’t fully control watercolour and in a world of control, this is helpful and here’s why…
Pigment moves, water runs, drops happen — and sometimes it goes in its own direction.

It’s a gentle reminder to:

• let go,

• adapt,

• embracing imperfections,

• and realise that a “mistake” can happen and that’s ok.

When there’s less restrictions, it can be more fun, you just have to let go of control. In everyday life I like to be ‘in control’ and organised, so having a way of letting go, makes you feel free.

4. Creative expression = emotional release

We store far more stress and emotion than we realise.
Painting — even simple leaves or loose florals — gives your mind an outlet to release tension you didn’t even know you were carrying.

It’s mindfulness, creativity, and emotional exhale all rolled into one well-loved brush stroke.

5. You get tiny pockets of joy

Whether you’re mixing a new colour or creating a soft wash…
watercolour gives you these little moments that feel simple but meaningful. It’s great to have some ‘me’ time, so you haven’t yet started watercolouring, but you are tempted, don’t hold back, take some time for you, even if it’s something simple. Join me for more ideas, tutorials and step-by-step guides.

Final thought:
Next time life feels a bit much (or even when it doesn’t), sit down with your paints and enjoy ten minutes with no rules, no pressure, and no outcome needed. Just you, your brushes, paints and paper, and a moment of calm.