Prescribing Joy

NHS practitioners embrace creativity

Almost ready to launch the Action Board & Journaling Workshop with Dr Jo Watkins

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Yesterday marked a truly special experience, as I had the honour of hosting an ‘Action Board & Journaling Workshop’ for a remarkable group of health practitioners.  These incredible women, dedicated to their demanding roles within the NHS, gathered with a shared desire to explore the transformative power of letting go, dreaming big, and embracing their creative sides.

Navigating the high-stress and relentless nature of their professions, these health practitioners joined my workshop with a willingness to open themselves to a unique blend of guided journaling and action board creation. 

For those that don’t know what an ‘Action Board’ is, it’s similar to a ‘Vision Board’ but more than sticking images on a big sheet of paper and hoping for abundance. Dr Tara Swart, a neuroscientist who’s been interviewed on Dr Rangan Chatterjee’s podcast a couple of times, highlights the wellbeing benefits of creating an Action Board each day.

Dr Tara said "If you create an action board, look at it daily and visualise it coming true, this tracks images to your sub-conscious and primes your brain to grasp opportunities that may otherwise have passed you by. Add in doing something each day, no matter how small, to move you towards your goal you’ll be transforming abundance thinking into reality”

Yesterday, I applied Dr Tara’s advice and complimented it with therapeutic journaling prompts. I loved holding space for these women, an experience that went beyond the conventional, allowing them to immerse their minds, bodies and souls into a simple yet profound creative space. Plus, more than anything it was really good fun. The hour was filled with lots of girlie chatter and giggles, the tonic we all needed.

In witnessing the joy reflected in their happy faces, it became clear that this seemingly child’s play of creativity held quite an impact for each woman.  I focused the hour with an amalgamation of guided journaling prompts and action board creation, which acted as a catalyst, offering a space for manifestation and visualisation, while grounding it in the reality of an action plan. 

I asked the group to think about how they felt emotionally as they were cutting images out of their magazines. Encouraging them to think about different parts of their body, were they sitting comfortably and relaxed, how was their breathing etc.  I went on to mention how important it is to notice the signals our bodies are giving us.  When we focus on doing a body scan, it actually helps simmer down the inner critic allowing creativity to flow.  have you tried creating an Action Board? Why not give it a go yourself one afternoon?  It’s a great exercise to do with a friend or your children.  

As I brought the workshop to a close, I couldn’t help but feel humbled by the collective energy of these practitioners, all eager to explore a holistic approach to their personal and professional lives.  The experience affirmed the belief that manifesting and visualising dreams is a crucial first step.  But I strongly advised that it’s the addition of a concrete action plan that truly revolutionises the way we perceive and pursue our aspirations in this ONE and ONLY life.

I hope the workshop has a ripple effect on their lives.  If anything, it should give them newfound inspiration, creative visor and a strategic roadmap to turn their dreams into tangible realities.  I know a few of them are embarking on an entrepreneurial journey this year, to compliment the good work they do in their medical career, what heroes! It was so rewarding being a part of a session with these likeminded women. All ready to lean into the transformative power of blending creativity with purpose.

In case you’re interested to learn more about the benefits of creating an Action Board, her is a link to an article that Dr Tara wrote for Forbes magazine back in 2019. How Action Boards Could Change Your Life

I also highly recommend her book ‘The Source’.

Until the next time

Take care and stay safe xx

PS.  I witnessed another stunning sunrise this morning.  I’m feeling blessed that I live close to so many gorgeous beaches, and grateful that January is delivering such delightful mornings here in Penarth.