While being creative and playing around with art is fun, it’s also beneficial for your health. Studies have shown that participating in creative activities for at least two hours a week can have a variety of benefits on health, personal growth and overall happiness.
Improves mental health
According to a research study from the University of Western Australia, arts programs can improve confidence, self-esteem and self-understanding in people with anxiety, depression and other mental health issues. Similar studies have shown that expressive writing can help participants to overcome trauma and alleviate negative thoughts and feelings.
'Flow' causes increased feelings of happiness and decreased anxiety. Flow is a state people achieve when they are deeply focused on something. It's also described as being 'in the zone,' when immerses in an enjoyable activity or task.
Flow helps to reduce anxiety, boost your mood and even slow your heart rate. Alongside flow, the feeling of happiness after creating something is from a rush of dopamine, which is triggered by feelings of success; those feelings of success can often stem from a creative activity.
Reduces dementia
Creativity can also help to reduce dementia. Similar to the effects creativity has on mental health, artistic activities can also help people with dementia stay in touch with their personality and senses, while alleviating feelings of depression and anxiety. Creative exercises in a group form also reduces feelings of isolation and can work to unblock creative potential in people living with dementia.
Boosts immune system function
Creativity not only improves mental health, but physical health as well. A randomized trial with patients undergoing HIV treatment showed that expressive writing helped to boost patients’ immune systems. It’s unclear why expressive writing had an effect on participants’ immune systems, but the patients who did expressive writing had an increased CD4+ lymphocyte count, which is one of the main targets of an immunodeficiency virus. In addition, creative projects can also help chronic pain management. People dealing with chronic pain noticed an improvement on pain control after expressing feelings in a written form.
Supports emotional growth
The creative process behind painting can help to foster emotional growth. Experts say that playing around with painting types can help to understand what triggers feelings like happiness, sadness, love or anger. Likewise, the emotions painters feel while creating, influences the emotions of those who view the artwork.
Sign up for an art program at the FirstOntario Arts Centre Milton and have fun while making yourself healthier.
