The Power of Art Therapy
One way to relax and to be inspired is through the form of art. Moreover, it is one way to enjoy whether you have to create an art masterpiece yourself or you just observe it. But, art can give much more than that. Based on studies, art therapy can provide numerous health benefits.
Art therapy assists in the treatment of depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and phobias. Through art, individuals can able to exert their insights and emotions without saying anything. Because of that, one may find relief.
Understanding Art Therapy
Art therapy, in the most simplest definition, is the utilization of visual arts in a therapeutic setting. In this kind of approach, even without consulting an art therapist may do since there are various ways of making art that you can even do at home. Here are simple activities that you can try at home.
• Sketching
• Collage making
• Art journaling
• Clay molding or sculpting
In doing art activities at home, the media that you select to use is not really important at all. But the crucial thing to remember is your feeling of ease in case you use it. However, there comes a time that showing your emotions through the form of art is something that is self-revealing.
On the other hand, it may be painful as well. In short, it really needs time before you engage yourself in this kind of approach. If you’re not yet ready with it, then it’s okay to not do it yet.
Who Needs Art Therapy?
The primary goal of art therapy is to give emphasis on the process of healing and on its final masterpiece. It does not produces a great artist but it helps to discover the meaning and the relationship of art into someone’s life.
Anyone can engage into art therapy as long as you’re ready for it. Generally, art therapy applies for those individuals who:
• Are pressured and stressed
• Deals with addiction
• Have anxiety
• Experience attention disorders
• Undergo grief and loss
• Have dementia, depression, and physical illness
Health Benefits of Art Therapy
Making art as part of someone’s life may cater number of benefits. Art and creative activities can help someone to recover from addiction. It also assists to develop the mental health of those individuals who deals with trauma and relationship issues. In addition, art therapy is an adjunct to conventional mental health treatment.
Self-discovery
Involving into art may guide individuals to discover the feelings that have been embedded in the subconscious part of the mind.
Self-esteem
The process of healing through visual art or photography may aid to achieve self-accomplishment which is very essential in developing one’s confidence.
Stress relief
Spine surgeons like Randall Dryer believed that undergoing into a surgery may lead some patients into anxiety and depression. Treating anxiety and depression may be very difficult in both the mental and physical well-being. In this case, art can be very helpful to relax the mind and the body.
