Art as a therapy is a technique rooted in the idea that creative expression can foster mental well-being, says Aarrti Zaveri
Art is not only restricted to creativity; it is beyond that. It is a bridge that connects our mind, body, and soul. For centuries people used art to express their feelings and improve their well-being. The relation between art and soul can be drawn back from the past when activities like sketching, drawing, painting, and modelling were used to express emotions, thoughts, and were taken to reduce stress and depression.
The healing power of art is undeniable. Art has always been a synonym for positivity, self-expression, and self-growth. The hues, patterns, and others work as a therapy to those who are bogged down with negative emotions and provides relief. You need not be a professional to experience the healing factor of the art. Anyone can feel its sensation. The mantra is to dwell self in the process of creating something.
Art works on the body mind, and soul. It helps in the activation of both sides of the brain. Art as a therapy is a technique rooted in the idea that creative expression can foster mental well-being. In terms of our body, it involves our senses, sense of touch, smell, and sight. It has advantages over verbal therapy as it involves working with materials, textures objects that use the whole body, it helps regulate heartbeat and muscle movement in this experience. Healing with art thus can be very calming. At the soul level, this can help us get connected to our higher energies and become more self-aware of our emotions and subconscious.
Art as therapy can help you heal issues like:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Eating disorders
- Emotional difficulties
- Family or relationship problems
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Stress
- Substance use disorder
The cornerstone is to break the ice and relieve ourselves from the unwanted toxins. Art as a therapy is all about exploration. It is not about winning but experimenting.
One can even expand beyond ‘traditional art’. Play around with materials like cardboard, old clothing, quilting fabric, or broaden your definition beyond visual art to include creative endeavours like movement, music, or the written word.
Surrounding yourself with art can help balance stress hormones that are responsible for a variety of diseases including depression and anxiety, diabetes, and high blood pressure. All this can be achieved without heavy medications and worrying about side effects.
So, let art paint your mind, body, and soul with all the positivity and relieve you from stress.
The writer is a visual artist
