The Mental Health Benefits of Art
Feb 01, 2016
Relieve stress and anxiety
Leonardo da Vinci once said “Painting embraces all ten functions of the eye; that is to say, darkness, light, body and color, shape and location, distance and closeness, motion and rest.”
Focusing on these attributes in any work of art can train your brain to concentrate on the small details, forcing you to pay more attention to the little things. Working much like meditation, it allows you to open up, and feel refreshed and focused. There’s a reason why adult coloring books are all the rage right now: art relieves stress and anxiety.
Take a step out of your world, your head, and your body for a moment; zone into something beautiful.
Boosts self-esteem and confidence
Do you remember when you were a kid and you brought home a piece of artwork you did at school that day to show your parents? Remember how awesome it made you feel when they put it up on the fridge for everyone to see?
Well, this still applies to adults. Hanging up your art work around your house, even if it is only for a couple days, will make you feel the same way you did as a kid. It boosts drive, focus, concentration and can boost self-esteem, providing a sense of accomplishment.
Make a goal for yourself, and once you achieve it, congratulate yourself. Show off your worth!
Reduce negative emotions like depression, grief, and distress
Through the centuries, art has played a big role in civilizations across the world. Just the very idea that creative expression makes a positive contribution to the healing process has been embraced throughout time in many different cultures.
Back in 2010, the American Journal of Public Health published an article in which researchers analyzed over 100 studies on the impact of art on health and the ability to heal yourself in which they stated, art “trends toward reduced depression” and many of their subjects saw “reductions in distress and negative emotions” among other benefits.
While this study focused on patients battling chronic illness, the positive impacts, therapeutic effects, and overall benefits of the arts held true.