Regardless of what shape and form it comes to, the creation of art is as inspiring as it is relaxing. However, the advantages of this creative expression go far beyond that of mere enjoyment and relaxation. In fact, some studies show its efficacy in treating a wide range of mental disorders that include but aren’t necessarily limited to, anxiety, depression, PTSD or post-traumatic stress disorder, and a few phobias. It is a way for us to illustrate (no pun intended) how we feel and better process any complex emotions without the use of words. If you’re still unconvinced, we’ll look into a few more benefits that art can have for our mental health. Continue to read if you want to learn more.
1. It promotes self-discovery
Self-discovery is vital for many reasons, the most common of which is in allowing us to determine our abilities and passions and how they can be developed and leveraged. However, learning more about our capabilities and how to make better use of them isn’t the only thing that we achieve from self-discovery; it also helps us recognize and acknowledge certain feelings that we may not have been consciously aware of and handle them before they become a potential problem in the future.
2. It improves our self-esteem
Apart from self-discovery, practicing art can also help improve our self-esteem. And this is a lot more important than it is given credit for. After all, those severely lacking in confidence have a higher chance of developing depression and anxiety than those who don’t. Through art, people will have more self-respect and understand their values while accepting individual differences at the same time.
3. It gives us an outlet for the release
Perhaps the greatest advantage to taking up art is that it provides us with an outlet for emotional relief. Let’s face it: with all of the stresses of daily life, we need to find some form of release – and art can help us let go of all our negative feelings healthily and productively. This includes complicated emotions that we wouldn’t be able to express with words alone.
4. It alleviates stress
Art has been known as an effective way of combating stress – whether it stems from emotional trauma, depression, or anxiety. Research suggests that the activity stimulates dopamine release, which is a chemical in our minds that can enhance feelings of pleasure and elevate our mood. And increasing its levels can relieve you of negative thoughts and feelings and, in turn, help you achieve peace of mind and promote mental health.
Art isn’t just a fun and engaging activity; it also helps us remain mentally healthy. Experts in mental health generally agree that it boasts many advantages, from giving individuals more confidence and providing them with a safe and healthy way to release their feelings and emotions to giving them more control over their lives than they would’ve had otherwise. It is for this reason that many recommend taking up art as a hobby or even a career because it can do us more good than many might initially realize.
Photo Attribution:
1st and featured image from https://pixabay.com/photos/abstract-art-background-paint-2468874/
2nd image from https://www.rtor.org/2018/07/10/benefits-of-art-therapy/
