6 Mental Health Benefits of Making Art!

No matter your profession, you have the power to make art! There are so many mediums so whether it be the traditional painting, sculting, and crafting that we tend to imagine when saying the word “art”, or whipping up a new recipe in the kitchen.

We all have our preferred mediums or five that we love, but there can also be beauty in branching out to a medium that you do just for the joy of it. Making time within your week for art creation can be an impactful practice much like meditating, and there are many beautiful health benefits associated with implementing this focus.

Here are just a few awesome mental health benefits of making art:

1. Reducing stress and anxiety: Engaging in creative activities can help to relax the mind and reduce feelings of stress and anxiety.

2. Improving self-esteem and self-worth: Creating art can boost feelings of accomplishment and self-worth, which can improve self-esteem.

3. Enhancing problem-solving skills: The process of creating art can involve problem-solving and decision-making, which can help to improve these skills.

4. Promoting emotional expression: Making art can provide a healthy outlet for emotions, allowing individuals to express their feelings in a creative and healthy way.

5. Improving mood: Engaging in creative activities can help to improve mood and reduce feelings of sadness or depression.

6. Promoting relaxation: The process of creating art can be calming and relaxing, helping to reduce feelings of stress and tension.

It's important to note that the mental health benefits of making art can vary depending on the individual and their personal experiences. Some people may find that creating art helps them to feel more positive and motivated, while others may find it more therapeutic and relaxing. It's also worth noting that making art can be a helpful complement to other forms of mental health treatment, but it should not be considered a replacement for professional help if it is needed.

In addition, here are some cool studies you can check out which focused on the correlation between art and mental health improvement!

1. 2013, a study published in the British Journal of Psychiatry found that engaging in creative activities, including art, was associated with a lower risk of common mental health problems such as depression and anxiety.

   1. the British Journal of Psychiatry is titled "Arts participation and common mental disorder: cross-sectional and prospective findings from a population-based study

2. 2017, a review published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that engaging in creative activities, including art, was associated with a variety of mental health benefits, including improved mood, reduced stress, and increased self-esteem.

   1. the Journal of the American Medical Association is titled "The Role of Creative Activities in Improving Mental Health Outcomes: A Systematic Review."

3. 2018, a study published in the Journal of Creativity in Mental Health found that participating in art therapy was associated with a reduction in symptoms of depression and anxiety in individuals with mental health conditions.

   1. the Journal of Creativity in Mental Health is titled "The Effectiveness of Art Therapy for Adults with Mental Health Problems: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis."

4. 2019, a study published in the Journal of Health Psychology found that engaging in art activities was associated with a reduction in stress and an improvement in mental health-related quality of life in individuals with chronic illness.

   1. the Journal of Health Psychology is titled "The Impact of Art Activities on Mental Health-Related Quality of Life in Adults with Chronic Illness: A Systematic Review."