“Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.” ~ Thomas Merton
Picasso Yourself Up in the Art World! Why Exploring Creative Visuals Can Go a Long Way in Making You Feel Better About Your Mental Health
The benefits of surrounding oneself with visual beauty, such as artwork, are vast and varied–from reducing stress and anxiety to enhancing cognitive function and creativity.
Dr. Roberta DePompei, a pediatric neuropsychologist, about the benefits of it on health once said, “Art provides a way to understand experiences, to express emotions and ideas, and to find new ways of thinking. It is a powerful tool for promoting mental health, emotional well-being, and cognitive development.”
In this day and age, where daily stressors can take a toll on our mental health, incorporating visual beauty into our lives can be a powerful tool to maintain a healthy mind and body.
From Mona Lisa to Interactive Installations…
- Reducing stress and anxiety: Looking at visual beauty can help reduce stress and anxiety by promoting relaxation and calmness.
- Enhancing mood: It can uplift your mood and bring you joy, which can positively affect your overall well-being.
- Boosting creativity: Surrounding yourself with visual beauty can stimulate creativity and inspire new ideas.
- Improving cognitive function: Engaging with creativeness can improve cognitive function by enhancing critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Promoting mindfulness: It can encourage you to focus on the present moment and engage your senses.
- Providing a sense of community: It can bring people together and create a sense of community, which can positively impact mental health.
- Increasing empathy: It can promote empathy by encouraging people to see the world from different perspectives and understand the experiences of others.
- Enhancing self-esteem: Creating or appreciating visual beauty can boost self-esteem by providing a sense of accomplishment and validation.
- Providing a source of inspiration: It can inspire people to pursue passions and achieve their goals.
Did you know?
Art is good for health with a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that medical students who participated in an artistic observation course had improved observational skills compared to those who did not participate in the study.
This suggests that exposure to and engagement with various artwork can enhance medical professionals’ abilities to accurately observe and diagnose patients, highlighting yet another way it can positively impact health.
A little history:
The use of art as a tool for improving health and well-being has a long history dating back to ancient civilizations. For instance, ancient Greek and Roman societies used creative outlets and music to promote healing and relaxation.
The Greeks believed that music and poetry could restore harmony to the body and mind, while the Romans used artistic options to distract patients from their illnesses.
During the Renaissance, creativity became more closely linked to medicine and studying the human body. Leonardo da Vinci, for example, used his artistic skills to create detailed drawings of the human anatomy, which he then used to inform his medical practice.
In the 1900s, art therapy emerged as a formalized practice in which individuals use visuals to express their thoughts and emotions, promote self-discovery, and improve mental and emotional well-being. This kind of therapy treats various mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
It is increasingly being recognized as a valuable tool for promoting health and well-being, with many hospitals and healthcare facilities incorporating artwork into their design and decor.
Visual installations and exhibits have been shown to reduce stress and anxiety in patients and improve their overall mood and well-being.
As experts continue to explore the links between artwork and health, it’s clear that creative visuals has played an essential role throughout history in promoting wellness and healing.
