Art Therapy: The Unexpected Benefits For Mind And Body
There’s a strong connection between doing arts and crafts and your emotional well-being. Getting in touch with your creative side through art therapy has many benefits for your state of mind. Expressing yourself through art is a healthy, stress-busting activity for all ages.
Art Therapy Heals Mental Health
Art therapy involves a range of creative activities, from painting and knitting to embroidery and scrapbooking. Any depressive or anxious thoughts slowly melt away as you focus on creating something new.
Playing around with different colors, shapes and textures quietens the mind and soothes the soul. What’s more, art therapy can help you communicate thoughts and feelings you might find difficult to express in words.
Art also provides a way of dealing grief, pain, anger or sadness in a safe environment. This is why it does helps promote a positive frame of mind.
Art and other creative activities can prompt conversations which you might otherwise not have. Sharing a laugh and light-hearted conversation can have a positive impact on your mood. Social interaction is important for your emotional wellbeing and reducing stress, and art therapy can play a role in that.
Art Therapy Slows Aging
Learning a new artistic skill or reconnecting with past hobbies stimulates the brain and slows down the aging process. In addition, art therapy stimulates the senses, it helps strengthen cognitive function, and provides many psychological benefits.
Activities such as painting and sewing require attention to detail, which improves your motor and coordination skills.
Artistic pursuits give people a sense of satisfaction and achievement, and take your mind off any worries, aches or pains. So they have therapeutic benefits and are important for self-esteem, keeping the brain engaged, and slowing down the aging process.
How Can This Therapy Eliminate Stress?
Art therapy is not about making the perfect artwork, but more about freeing your mind and letting your creativity shine.
Engaging in stimulating, arts and crafts activities is a form of self-care and even a type of meditation. Letting your mind focus on what’s in front of you can make you feel calm and relaxed. Repetitive movements such as coloring, or knitting, have a meditative quality. This is why we can call it therapy.
What is more, art therapy releases dopamine into our brains, making us feel happy and content. Increased dopamine levels can work wonders for those suffering from stress, depression or anxiety.
Fairview Adult Day Care Center in Brooklyn NY offers a range of creative activities for our clients. We have fantastic facilities and recreation therapists who go the extra mile to offer support. We understand the value of art therapy for our clients’ mental wellbeing and self-esteem.
Both our traumatic brain injury, TBI, people and our Russian-speaking geriatric group benefit greatly from our fun activities and games. Do contact us if you would like to find out more about our day care services for seniors and TBI people. Ask us any questions you may have. We are here to help.
This article is for educational and informational purpose only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. For any questions about your own health condition, speak to a qualified physician or healthcare provider.
I didn’t know that art can help slow the aging process! My mother used to paint a lot when I was little. I bet she would love to try it again now.
Art therapy reduces stress to a very extent. I recently discovered it. I am drawing my emotions and feelings as an art activity. You have written really well.