It’s important that we look after our mental health, regardless of age. Poor mental health can affect many aspects of our lives, including our physical wellbeing. Fortunately, art for mental health is an effective way to boost your mood.
Creative pursuits are well-known to be calming and rewarding. There’s a reason humans have been producing art for as long as we’ve had the ability to use tools. In fact, studies show that producing art can help to improve memory.
But art has several other benefits for mental health. Here are some examples.
Relieves Stress
It’s no secret that the modern world can be stressful. Many of us live with the pressures of jobs, finances, and home life. It’s important to take time to escape the stress and look out for your wellbeing. Engaging in art helps to calm your mind, offering a distraction but also activating the pleasure centres of the brain.
When we are stressed, our bodies produce a hormone called cortisol. A study found that three quarters of the participants experienced a reduction in their cortisol levels after 45 minutes of making art. This could be something as simple as colouring in a picture.
In fact, for many people, art can be a meditative experience. It supports you to clear your mind, focusing entirely on the process of producing art, which can even help you feel more energised.
Process Thoughts
The business of modern life can often mean we are thinking about many things at once, and sometimes it can be hard to organise our thoughts. Fortunately, art for mental health can offer an opportunity to sit down and process what’s going on inside your head.
Art is an ideal outlet for expressing your emotions. You may find that you are able to identify whether you are angry or upset about something easier when you are drawing or painting. Some thoughts may not be easy to put into words but can be expressed visually instead.
Many acclaimed pieces of abstract art express complex emotions in ways that might not be obvious on first glance. Even something as simple as splashing paint on your canvas could help you see the anger you feel about something. Alternatively, your art may help you appreciate your happiness.
Increase Confidence
When we are constantly surrounded by the successes of others – celebrities and online media personalities, especially – it’s easy to lack a sense of personal accomplishment. Fortunately, producing a piece of art is an easy way to create something you can be proud of.
Furthermore, the more you produce art, the more your abilities will develop. Doing art for mental health will mean you start to feel increasingly proud of what you produce. In a few weeks, you could see a drastic improvement in your art skills.
To begin with, you may want to keep your art private. However, as your confidence grows, you could start showing it to family and friends. Their praise may further boost your self-esteem. If you get good enough, you could even consider entering some art competitions.
Supports Flexible Thinking
Naturally, engaging in a creative pastime will also help you to think more creatively. In fact, it activates and enhances the neurons that support problem-solving. What this means for you is that, even when you are not producing art, your brain is better suited to overcome challenges.
If you are struggling with your mental health, it can sometimes feel difficult to make decisions. You might have days where you lack motivation. However, by engaging in art for mental health, your brain may find it easier to create solutions.
Furthermore, art for mental health will also inspire you to try new things with your own art. By expanding your imagination, you can find it easier to approach other tasks in life. Whether working or supporting your mental health, flexible thinking is improved by art.
Healing
Another advantage of engaging in art for mental health is that it can actively help you heal from trauma. We have already touched on how art is a therapeutic activity. It can help you process thoughts and relieve stress. This can support recovery from serious illnesses or experiences.
Many of the tactile sensations that come with art are linked to positive emotions. Studies have shown that producing art reduces anxiety and produces a more positive outlook. It also makes it easier for people to identify how they are feeling about certain things.
Sometimes, engaging in art for mental health can be the trigger for identifying emotions or memories you may have suppressed. By confronting these, it is easier to heal from them and improve your overall mental health.
How to Get Started
There’s nothing stopping you from getting involved with some art in the comfort of your own home. It’s as simple as picking up a pencil and sketching on some paper or buying a colouring book and some pens. Alternatively, buy some paintbrushes and paints, set up a canvas, and get to work.
If you think you could benefit from guided art therapy, Mind has resources available to help you find a therapist near you. Alternatively, you could try some activities at home without a therapist. There are also guided videos available on YouTube that can help you get started.
Careline365: Here When You Need Us
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