Art therapy: Here’s how it benefits your mental wellbeing

Expressing emotions

For robust mental health, expression is important. We experience myriad of emotions and our neurotransmitters help these emotions translate into actions. But our cultural conditioning doesn’t allow us to acknowledge or express many of these emotions. This leads to our emotions getting bottled up within, challenging our mental wellbeing.

Art therapy helps here as it lets people explore self-expression. What you cannot verbalize, may come alive through art. Art therapy enables a person to delve deeper into their own psyche to find the connection. It helps develop new coping skills and a much better frame of mind. Not only does art help relax and rewind but also gives us an outlet for our expressions.

Supports mental healing

A study published in the Journal of the American Art Therapy Association states that even less than an hour of creative activity is sufficient to lower stress levels, positively impacting mental health. As we channelise our creative energies though art, we are able to connect and reflect on our inner self. Drawing, sketching, doodling, painting or sculpting leads to new thought patterns that help people subconsciously find a resolution to their conflicts which they can then manifest in their emotions and behaviour.

Whether one is blessed with an artistic aptitude or not, art therapy can still bring about significant mental healing as it can be an active part of counselling. However, it is important to remember that art therapy differs from art classes – art therapy aims at helping people to freely express themselves through art whereas art classes are more technique oriented.

Art therapy for children

It is quite challenging to address a child’s psychological concerns as he or she may not be communicative enough. Yet, if the child is grappling with some emotional or mental problem, a timely intervention is critical. In such a scenario, art therapy gains relevance as children have a natural affinity to draw. They not only find it therapeutic, but also love the entire experience of expressing themselves through art. Kids that have undergone emotional challenges of some kind find art therapy particularly helpful. Any behavioural changes, anger issues, learning disabilities they face can be well addressed effectively through art therapy.

This form of therapy also helps in increasing their self-esteem, confidence and self-awareness. For children, it could even be the right tool to elevate confidence levels, reinforce positive mindsets and develop healthy minds, things essential for their holistic development.