Federal agencies and health experts have expressed concerns regarding mental health effects on social isolation and global pandemic. Mental health professionals worry there would be an uptick when it comes to stress-related conditions, such as substance abuse, PTSD, depression, and anxiety.
While mental health organizations question the already-overwhelmed healthcare systems’ capacity to help US citizens once quarantine is over, art therapy can serve as an inspiring and relaxing activity for individuals suffering from depression and anxiety, among other mental health problems. If you are wondering how art therapy can maintain your mental health during the lockdown, here are main points to look at:
1. Creativity
This might sound obvious, though what may not be apparent is that taking part in art like painting can stimulate both the left and right sides of your brain. When it comes to painting, people use their left side of the brain to handle logical as well as rational challenges and help them visualize work before they even set up an easel.
According to Maximilian Lang-Orsini, a young painter who has endured 12 months in lockdown in Amsterdam and turned hand in painting, learning how to apply paint can strengthen your mind and master new techniques as well as flex your creative muscles. Painting is also an all-brain exercise, triggering dopamine activity and strengthening your mind.
2. Stress Relief
High anxiety or stress usually go together. Looking for emotional relief, such as drawing, can allow your mind to relax and let go of every problem, contributing to high-stress levels.
When you come up with something great through drawings, you will be able to stimulate your creative mind as you relieve mental strain. Low-stress levels result in a healthier and happier lifestyle and may improve general mental health.
3. Mindfulness
Like meditation and yoga, mindfulness is another way art positively affects mental health during the lockdown. Taking part in visual art can help to activate different parts of the brain’s right hemisphere.
The brain’s right side leans towards holistic thinking, creativity, imagination, intuition, and feelings. When you combine mindfulness and art, you will be able to use different parts of your mind to do conscious shifting between various mental states that ultimately leads to overcoming cognitive challenges.
4. Sense of Accomplishment
Like hanging a kid’s artwork to improve the sense of accomplishment and self-esteem, you may also achieve the same thing by hanging yours.
Even better is that you don’t have to make something, which looks completely perfect so as to get these feelings, and it will not matter what kind of art you make, be it knitting, drawing, or photography.
5. Memories
Art can improve memory and cognitive abilities for individuals with serious disorders like Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
Making visual art can improve your quality of life by increasing connectivity, promoting cell development in the brain, and offering a source of pleasure.
The Takeaway!
Most individuals live for art class. You may also do the same to have an opportunity to be pint-sized Picassos with paint.
Similar to professionals, don’t let your skillset or ego stand in your way. Rather than that, unleash your creativity, roll up your sleeves, and beam up with pride every time you present your masterpieces to the people you love.
