Art Therapy and Mental Health

Mental health is connected to physical health in many, sometimes obvious and at other times more hidden ways. But they are connected. Consider: When we get scared, we sweat. When we cry, our blood pressure may change. And these are just the surface, measurable effects. What about being chronically stressed? The long-term effects may be harder to quantify but stress management is one of the first things to be recommended to people in ill-health. And that's just where art comes in. According to studies of brain function and happiness, people who do something creative have better mental health. And better mental health can help secure our physical health. Let's look at how we can use art to help with both of these.

The Challenge of Mental Health Care

By age 40, nearly half of the global population has experienced some type of mental health issue. That’s a significant number of people, and unfortunately, given the state of mental health care in our country, many may not find viable ways to cope with issues or address problems. Those who reach out for help may fare better than their counterparts who go it alone, but that doesn’t mean people seeking help always get what they need, either. The process of getting help is an arduous one with the vetting of professionals and strange terms rooted in psychology. CBT, EMDR, it's an alphabet soup out there.

Mental Health Advocates Suggest Art Therapy

If the whole process of seeking help seems daunting and overwhelming, we've got great news. There may be another way to get some mental healthcare. Research suggests that the arts positively affect mental health. Many therapists now suggest engaging in some form of the arts as a way to quiet anxiety and help lift depression. Of course, there are trained art therapists one can retain, too. And art coaches. So one needn't rely on psychotherapists to act as their art therapists. 

Like any treatment program, art therapy may take some time to see the best and most lasting benefits. Which is all the more reason to get started now. Some may benefit from just engaging in art, it's true, and that should not be discounted. But we should all be aware that art therapists exist, and they may provide a greater benefit than anyone has been giving them credit for.

How Does Art Help Mental Health?

The field of neuroesthetics has looked at markers in the neural circuits that show biological evidence of the value of art therapy. In other words, scientists are looking to see how the pathways in the brain respond when they see art. 

Other studies have looked at the effects of actually creating art, and how it reduces cortisol levels in the body. Through the research, scientists are finding that looking at, listening to or engaging in something artistic has definite positive effects on a person’s mental health. So one might listen to music and get some benefit and make music for another. Pretty cool, eh?

Art Therapy in Practice: Tips and Ideas

There are plenty of resources for art therapy, and they don’t all have to take place in a therapist’s office or with a group. Though for those seeking that kind of support, it's definitely available, fun, and supportive. These types of groups often pair self-care or even more traditional therapies with art, so don't be confused by thinking it's the same as taking an art class that focuses solely on the skill of art. An art therapist is trained to handle mental health issues through the practice of art, rather than to just to train you in art-making. In fact, they will pay less mind to the quality or skill of the art and much more attention to the process and its effects on the heart, mind and body than on the end product of the art itself.

But if one wants to just pursue the arts without a therapist to reap some of those arts-based benefits, it may help to start by immersing in the art medium that interests you. We've all got to start somewhere. And the arts are something anyone can get into right at home. For example, virtual painting classes are offered online. There are also virtual music lessons, options for singing and drawing, and much more. In addition to those, several colleges and universities offer art programs, many of which can be attended virtually. 

Naturally, there are serious mental health issues that singing lessons or a painting class may not be able to improve. But it's worth noting that art therapy is a real and critical type of therapy that often gets overlooked when seeking treatment. For those in need of a different type of therapy, or those burnt out on other old standards like CBT, art therapy may be just the thing to help them break through and move onto a better day. This is especially true when applied with a trained and certified art therapist as opposed to seeking art classes. But either way, we should all be tapping into our creative sides for our own good. And you know, that connection between the mind and body should never be overlooked. If we can greatly benefit one, the other will reap benefits, too. 

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