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Whether you’re a seasoned artist or a hobbyist, incorporating the creative arts into your daily routine can do wonders for your mental health. From relieving anxiety and stress to promoting peace of mind, painting, sculpting, journaling, clay work can all help release and keep negative emotions at bay. According to research, art therapy can help reduce distress, increase brain power, and improve self-esteem. It can also make you more flexible and bring mind, body and spirit into harmony. (Also read | Is live-in relationship good for mental health? 5 advantages and disadvantages explained)
Through art therapy, a person can be brought to a state of harmony and mindfulness. By channeling one’s energy into creation, one can help balance one’s emotions and move toward positivity. A creative way to express and communicate, art therapy is about resolving issues at a deeper level and bringing about changes in behavior and emotions.
Brittany Hunt, therapist and head of the quality, innovation and research department at Switzerland-based addiction treatment center, Clinique Les Alpes, spoke about art therapy and its benefits for anxiety and depression in an interview with HT Digital.
What is art therapy and how does it help your mental health?
Art therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses the creative process of making art to improve a person’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being. By expressing themselves through art, individuals can manage behavior, process emotions, reduce stress and anxiety, and increase self-awareness. The creative process involved in expressing oneself artistically can help people resolve issues as well as develop and manage their behavior and emotions, reduce stress, and improve self-esteem and awareness. .
5 Techniques for Using Art Therapy for Anxiety Relief
1. Mindful Painting: Focusing on the process of painting rather than the end result can help manage anxiety. Mindful painting allows individuals to be present in the moment, which can reduce anxious thoughts.
2. Earthen work: Working with clay is a tactile experience that can be incredibly powerful. The physicality of molding clay can help distract from anxious thoughts and put energy into the building process.
3. Making a Collage: Assembling a collage from different materials can help express feelings that are hard to express with words. It can be particularly therapeutic for those who experience anxiety as it allows abstract expression of emotions.
4. Doodling and Scribbling: Simple doodling or scribbling can be a quick and easy way to relieve anxiety. This is an act that can free up nervous energy and distract from anxiety-causing thoughts.
5. Photography: It can help focus on the beauty of the outside world and distract from internal stress. It encourages mindfulness and can be a powerful tool to manage anxiety through creative expression.
5 Activities for Managing Depression Through Art Therapy
1. Painting to music:Listening to music while painting can help improve mood and encourage creativity. The combination of music and visual arts can be particularly uplifting for individuals experiencing depression.
2. Sculpture: Engaging in sculpture can be a way to express emotions physically and symbolically, which can be cathartic for people struggling with depression.
3. Art Journaling: Keeping an art journal is an ongoing, personal activity that allows for the expression of emotions on a regular basis. This practice can help individuals process their emotions daily and track their mood over time.
4. Textile Art: Working with textiles and clothing, such as quilting or knitting, is not only therapeutic but also provides a sense of accomplishment and pride, which can counter the feelings of worthlessness commonly experienced in depression.
5. Finger Painting: It can be a playful and spontaneous art activity that reawakens the joy and spontaneity that is often suppressed by depression. This can be especially beneficial in reconnecting with one’s inner child and simpler times of joy.
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