In our society today we are constantly being bombarded with things to do, bills to pay and expectations to meet. All of this over time can really weigh someone down and stress them out, especially if time isn’t taken out of the day or week to relax and unwind a little bit. People seem to understand that when you exert yourself physically it is important to rest – but importance is not often put on mental recovery! While we all have different ways we like to chill out at the end of the work week, whether it be with Netflix or a walk in the park, art therapy has been clinically proven to clear the mind and have relaxing effects on the brain.
You might hear art therapy and only hear the therapy, but it isn’t complicated or something you have to go to an office for, while a person swings a watch in front of your eyes. Art is something anybody can do at their home with simple supplies!
How can art help me?
There are many reasons why creating any sort of masterpiece is considered therapeutic; scientists have described the mental state one enters during artistic creation, as “flow”. This is a word that’s usually recognized and associated with yoga, but it simply refers to the state of being completely engaged in something to the point of being in a near-meditative state – leading to many of the same benefits as actual meditation! Another reason sitting down to create is good for you relates to self-esteem and productivity. Coloring books have become more popular lately, as many people report feeling relaxed, as well as satisfied that they created something beautiful – resulting in those sharing their creations on social media and with their friends, leading to positive self-image. One more benefit of creating is the separation of work and lifestyle. Studies show that having a hobby outside of one’s work life helps further remove them from the stresses of the day. Lately there has been a lot of hoopla surrounding turning your passions into your career so you can further succeed, but let’s be real here – nobody wants their whole life to be focused around their 9-5!
Today is National Stress Awareness Day. Today we hope you are feeling stress free – but if not, go ahead and pick up a paintbrush, a pencil, a camera, anything! Try it out, it may be your newest hobby.