How creativity can better your health and well-being 

 By Halle Tucker

Over the past decade, the relationship between art and health has become an increasingly important study, with new research revealing how powerfully art impacts us.  Art, in its many forms, provides profound mental and physical benefits. Reducing stress, enhancing cognitive function, and managing pain are just some of the ways art impacts our well-being. As we continue to uncover the healing potential of artistic engagement, it’s hard to ignore that engaging in art can lead to a richer, healthier life.  

 

Mental Health 

Art has long been recognized as a powerful tool for improving mental health. Participating in creative activities like painting, drawing, or sculpting can be a therapeutic outlet, allowing people to process more complex emotions during hard times. Art therapy, a recognized mental health practice, uses this form of expression to help individuals explore emotions, reduce stress, and create self-awareness.  

Going beyond emotional expression, art can help those experiencing anxiety or depression-like symptoms. Studies have shown that creating art can lower stress levels, helping people relax and find some relief from daily pressures. By shifting one’s focus from life challenges to creation, art can help one achieve a sense of fulfillment and purpose. This can improve your mood and emotional responses, making art a valuable tool for managing mental health challenges. Whether through individual or group activities, the act of creating and experiencing art contributes to a more balanced and healthier mind.  

Physical Health 

Engaging in art can also provide many physical health benefits. By promoting relaxation and reducing stress, activities like painting, sculpting, or weaving are found to lower cortisol levels, reduce blood pressure, and enhance motor skills, specifically in children and older adults. Creative activity can also have a significant impact on cognitive function. By creating art, you are stimulating and improving memory. 

For individuals coping with chronic conditions, creating art can provides a sense of control and self-expression. By focusing on creative processes, individuals can channel their emotions and experiences in a positive way that can enhance their recovery. The physical engagement required in creating art, combined with the mental benefits, makes it a powerful tool for promoting long-term physical wellness. The profound relationship between art and health is undeniable, as its mental, physical, and social benefits continue to be supported by research. Whether it’s through improving mental health, promoting physical well-being, or fostering social connections, the arts offer a unique pathway to enhance our quality of life.  

 

Interested in improving your health through art? Find a class or workshop at https://www.craftalliance.org/classes/ 

 

References  

Americans for the Arts. (2024, September 9). https://www.americansforthearts.org/   

Anderson, F. E., & Landgarten, H. (1973). Art in Mental Health: Survey on the Utilization of Art Therapy. Studies in Art Education, 15(3), 44–48. https://doi.org/10.2307/1319553   

 

Berman, K. S. (2017). Assessing Arts for Social Change. In Finding Voice: A Visual Arts Approach to Engaging Social Change (pp. 135–176). University of Michigan Press. http://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctvdtphz0.11  

  

Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2024, April 17). The intersection of art and health: How art can help promote well-being. Mayo Clinic. https://mcpress.mayoclinic.org/living-well/the-intersection-of-art-and-health-how-art-can-help-promote-well-being/#:~:text=In%20addition%20to%20creative%20arts%20therapy,%20the%20arts#:~:text=In%20addition%20to%20creative%20arts%20therapy,%20the%20arts