Whenever the word creativity is mentioned, some people might think that there are some selected activities in which only some specially gifted people can partake.

However, it is interesting to note that everyone is creative, and tapping into the creative juice can improve your health- physical and mental health.

It might sound like a far-fetched fact but even when it comes to using a color book, and trying out different patterns and styles, you are engaging your creative strength. Doing this can improve your mental health in the long run.

When people are working on creating something, they might get lost in the activity due to different reasons. The process of creating involves concentration and laser focus, with fewer distractions.

When you get to the point where you give your full attention and are absorbed in work, your performance and productivity increase. You will be able to ideate, work and produce faster than you would on a regular day.

The brain function determines the state of the creative flow. The movements of the brainwaves slow down, and the individual finds it easier to process thoughts.

Some studies mentioned that the prefrontal cortex of the brain temporarily stops working so that we can be more courageous of our ideas instead of being too critical and hard on ourselves.

Additionally, during the creative flow state, the brain produces a large volume of neurochemicals which are dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins. These chemicals are known to induce happiness, satisfaction, and pleasure in humans.

This is why even regular creative activities will make you feel happier, calmer, and at peace. They produce a natural “high” which signifies contentment, satisfaction, and joy.

If you are struggling with a mental health problem, putting your creativity to work might be one of the ways to get your mental health on track. You can consider seeing a mental health therapist or counselor that you can work with to achieve your mental health goals.

Art therapy is one of the most effective ways to improve the health and well-being of seniors. With art therapy, seniors can have a long and fulfilling life devoid of common emotional, mental, and even physical health problems.

Art therapists help seniors to apply various art therapy techniques to address some of the difficulties they might be facing.

Here are some of the perks that seniors can gain from art therapy

Better cognitive function

As adults get older, there is a tendency for their cognitive function to slow down. However, with art therapy, seniors can have their senses stimulated so that they can become more active and sharper. If they are not familiar with art therapy, it helps them think better.

It is interesting to mention that art therapy helps to form neural connections in the brain, some of these connections may have slowed down as they got older.

Improved mood

Another benefit of art therapy for seniors is that it helps to improve their mood. For seniors struggling with depression, anxiety, and stress, art therapy helps them feel better.

Some studies have shown that seniors who do any type of creative arts are less likely to experience some symptoms of depression, loneliness, and anxiety.

Hence, with art therapy, seniors have a healthy way out to channel whatever feelings or emotions they might have.

Social interaction

When seniors undergo art therapy, it is another chance for them to meet with other people. They will meet other individuals that they can easily relate with. This helps them to form new relationships that may last over time.

Being a senior comes with the possibility of not having many people around you, but art therapy helps to bridge this gap by helping you socialize with people.

Improved memory

Art therapy helps seniors to retain some of their new thoughts. For seniors who have dementia and Alzheimer, they can benefit greatly from attending art therapy.

Art therapy is the application of artistic methods and ways to handle psychological, emotional, and mental disorders. The idea behind art therapy comes from the belief that it can be used to improve the emotional and mental well-being of an individual.

Before art therapy became a formally recognized way of handling mental disorders, people have used different aspects of arts to heal from mental and emotional disorders.

Below are some of the benefits that art therapy has on mental health

A better and more convenient way to express your feelings

Sometimes, when people have mental disorders, they find it difficult to tell how they are feeling, and this is why these health problems linger for a long time.

The availability of art therapy provides patients with a non-threatening and seamless way to express how they are feeling, no matter how intense it is.

In most cases, they might not need to vocalize them. All they need to do is use one of the several available art therapy methods to communicate with the therapist.

Cope with stress and other difficulties

Another advantage that comes with art therapy is how it allows you to handle stress and difficulties in a healthy way.

One of the mistakes that some people make when managing stress is using unhealthy methods like taking drugs or alcohol.

They feel good for a short time only to end up feeling worse after the effect of these substances wears off.

Art therapy helps patients to deal with stress the right way without getting addicted.

Looking at problems from a different perspective

If you are facing any problem that has affected your mental health, art therapy helps to give you a better and different perspective. With the help of the therapist, you may understand the root cause of these problems, and learn how you can tackle them.

Some of the techniques used in art therapy include Drawing, Painting, Writing, Photography, Coloring, Sculpting, Collage, etc.

According to The Olive Prime, art therapy is a mental health profession in which clients, facilitated by the art therapist, use art media, the creative process, and the resulting artwork to explore their feelings.

To also reconcile emotional conflicts, foster self-awareness, manage behavior and addictions and develop social skills.

In art therapy, the main goal is to improve people’s well-being, so they can function more effectively. Also, an individual can benefit from it if it helps improve or restore their functioning.

There are many settings in which art therapy is used, including educational, medical, and rehabilitation ones, as well as private practices and mental health clinics.

Now to the question; how does art therapy work? In art therapy, materials and techniques are used to stimulate sensory responses and generate emotional imagery.

The process allows one to relive emotions in a way that allows them to organize their feelings and tell a story about a traumatic experience. Communication is possible once this occurs by emerging words.

Furthermore, it is the role of the art therapist ultimately to assist the client in gaining insight, self-awareness, and new coping strategies that enhance the quality of life and functioning. Also, in an art therapy session, an individual is likely to do some exercises such as

• Sculpting
• Doodling
• Drawing
• Painting
• Clay works
• Collage Making etc.

Although these exercises take place under the guidance of an art therapist, the art therapist should be able to see the individual’s unfiltered responses. Understanding these responses can enhance mental health and well-being.

During the art therapy session, the individual and their art therapist will discuss the artwork and explore which objects, people, and images are included and excluded.

Art therapy addresses the issues of people with conditions such as depression, autism, dementia, also people with significant health challenges like cancer and traumatic brain injuries.

According to the American Art Therapy Association, art therapy is a kind of therapy that integrates mental health and human services by using “active art-making, creative process, and human experience.”

On the other hand, addiction is a menace that has eaten deep into our society and a large percentage is now addicted to one thing or the other which has so many negative effects attached to it.

The use of art therapy for addiction treatment dates back to the 1950s; today, it can be used to provide emotional release, self-expression, stress management, and recovery adjustment.

The Journal of Addictions Nursing states that art therapy can contribute to the recovery process in the following ways:

• Lessening the shame of addiction.
• Providing a safe outlet for painful emotions.
• Decreasing the client’s denial of addiction.
• Increasing the client’s motivation to change.

Art therapy is a part of a comprehensive treatment program that includes individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy, 12-step meetings, and other essential services. By providing a break from direct intensive work of talk therapy, art therapy allows the subconscious to express itself creatively. 

In the recovery process, language often falls short of conveying the emotions that are uncovered. Therefore, art therapy emphasizes the role of creativity as a form of non-verbal communication.

Through art therapy, clients have the opportunity to describe and express their feelings in a way that is different from a traditional talking therapy.

Clients who are further along in the program may use art to depict the process of change that occurs in recovery.

The images and feelings that are expressed may change as they go through the program. After conveying their feelings of guilt or shame, a person may feel compelled to mention appreciation for having been freed from addiction.

Art therapy is a practice intended to improve mental health and treat psychological disorders. It is rooted in the belief that creative expression fosters healing and mental wellbeing.

Over the centuries, people have relied on the arts to communicate, express themselves, and heal. It wasn’t until the 1940s that art therapy became a formalized program.

As doctors noticed that it was common for people with mental illnesses to express themselves through drawings and art, they started looking into how art could be used as a healing tool. It has since become an integral component of therapeutic methods and has been used for assessments and treatment.

Art therapy is particularly insightful because the process of creation is often just as instructive as the outcome. Nevertheless, anxious people may feel an intense need to complete the creative process to create something that will appeal to more than just themselves.

It is essential to discover self-awareness and healthy coping mechanisms when dealing with anxiety, and art therapy is an effective way to cope with some of the symptoms and experiences of anxiety.

Here are five art therapy activities designed to support people who are experiencing anxiety.

• The panic book

Those with panic disorder can become frightened by the idea that they may suffer from a panic attack. Often, the triggers of panic attacks are unknown, while sometimes they are known.

The panic book exercise encourages participants to create a book containing images that will help them remain calm during stressful times and refocus their minds towards something more positive.

• Visualizing what anxiety looks like

The first step to controlling and treating anxiety is understanding and visualizing it. By presenting anxiety as an abstract concept, person, or monster, participants can develop methods to recognize anxiety as it arises and handle it appropriately. Participants can accomplish just that in this activity.

• Visual starter

Anxieties associated with creating art can make art therapy counterproductive. This visual starter exercise helps to circumvent this, allowing individuals to begin without feeling self-conscious. Starters can be adapted to specific topics or be used for creating a healthy stress-relieving environment.

Art is one of the most relaxing and inspiring activities people engage in, whether they create it themselves or observe it. Artistic expression, however, provides several benefits beyond relaxation and enjoyment.

Several studies have shown that art therapy can be an effective way to treat depression, anxiety, panic attacks, and also some forms of phobias. With it, you can express your emotions without words, process your feelings, and find relief.

The term “art therapy” is a general term that refers to the application of visual arts in a therapeutic environment. The concept of art therapy generally revolves around the art process rather than its final form.

It is how you feel as you make your art and what you learn about yourself that matters most.

The benefits of art therapy include a safe, non-judgmental environment in which to explore your interpretation of it.

Depending on your level of experience, this may take place in an open studio setting with some guidance or in a trained, structured class where art skills are taught. By actively participating in creative activities, you will gain more focus, relaxation, and the ability to express yourself.

As a treatment for mental illness, art therapy uses the creative process of making art as a safe way to express inner experiences, create awareness, and facilitate personal change.

Along with creating art, the art therapist offers relaxation techniques, visualization, and guided imagery during therapy sessions.

By doing this, you can cope better with stress and difficult circumstances, and return to feeling normal sooner. An art therapist offers a safe, supportive space for an individual to deal with difficult emotions.

Benefits of art therapy activities for mental health

Art therapy can be used to complement traditional forms of mental health treatment. Its goals include managing behavior, processing feelings, and decreasing anxiety and stress.

• Self-discovery: Exposing and acknowledging your hidden emotions can help you discover new insights into yourself.
• Self-esteem: By completing the process, you will feel a sense of accomplishment which is great for developing your self-esteem and confidence.
• Stress relief: Mentally and physically, anxiety, depression, or traumatic experiences can make you tired and exhausted. You can reduce your stress and tension through creative expression.

Addiction to drugs and alcohol doesn’t just happen because a person really wanted that particular addictive substance. Often the substance is one way to cover up one or more psychological problems or past trauma.

Therefore, substance abuse recovery involves so much more than just the clearance of alcohol or drugs from the system.

Successfully overcoming the condition of addiction needs an understanding of how the addiction started, what are the motivating factors for recovery, and any potential reasons to hinder the healing process.

Art therapy can play a role here. Human minds have a tendency to imagine and wander with free associations when we start to create, and often we can even decipher the symbolism in each creation until we come back to it.

Art therapy serves as a vehicle for the psychological component of recovery by providing an emotional outlet and a means of self-expression. Feelings or experiences that are too shameful or painful to talk about can be expressed through paint, clay, ink or other media.

When combined with other recovery services, such as detox, individual therapy, support groups, and family counseling, art therapy can be a powerful way to promote the healing process.

According to the American Art Therapy Association (AATA), art therapy is a mental health modality that can help the individual in a variety of important ways:

• By resolving emotional conflicts
• By building self-esteem
• By encouraging self-awareness
• By reducing anxiety
• By developing social skills

A key objective for art therapy is to facilitate he patient to return to healthy functioning. This could be at different levels: emotional, cognitive or social, emotional.

The therapy may be especially beneficial in situation where the individuals going through the treatment had experienced a traumatic episode, such as childhood abuse, sexual assault, violence, or a natural disaster.

The visual media of art gives an opportunity to explore and release the tensions and fears around memories and experiences that are too powerful to confront directly. Creative activity makes room for the individual to regain a sense of control. In this sense, art can play the part of a coping mechanism to handle the challenges that come with the rehabilitation process.

At a personal level, art therapy can be a process that introduces the pleasures of creative activity and accomplishment.

On a social level, art sessions can act as a type of group therapy by forming bonds among the participants. As a group of individuals collaborate on guided projects, they can learn and appreciate new ways of coping, share their experiences with therapy, and practice the skills of teamwork.

What is Art Therapy?

 Art therapy combines the creative methods and psychotherapy. Through a guided process, it facilitates self-exploration and understanding. Art therapy uses color, imagery and shape as part of this imaginative therapeutic process to express feelings and thoughts that might be difficult to articulate.

How is Art Therapy Used in Addiction Treatment?

Art therapy has been shown to be a very effective method in the addiction and substance abuse recovery process.

A number of drug and alcohol addiction rehabilitation facilities now offer individual and group therapy sessions by using this creative method. With the help of trained mental health professionals and addiction specialists, a range of therapies can be deployed to help residents in their healing journey.

How Art Therapy Helps Residents in Rehab Centres

Art therapy plays an important part in treating drug and alcohol addiction treatment in many rehab facilities.

Extensive research validates its capacity to teach patients calming techniques, improve regulation of moods, increase positive self-image through self-expression, and promote healthy self-reflection.

By participating in art therapy, residents are centered and able to function more easily. It’s a healthy and uplifting way to stay focused on recovery, as well as feel some peace of mind.

Combining the practice of art with an intervention with a qualified art therapist or art psychotherapist is much more effective in reaching the desired objectives and outcomes.

One focuses on the psychological aspects, the relationship, and the art object and the other may have more focus on the art outcomes. Experienced therapists play a significant role by not only knowing the technique but also just what to say and do to help someone feel the real benefits that the therapy can provide.

How Rehab Patients Can Continue With Art Therapy Post-Rehab

The key function of art therapy is to replace negative coping techniques with positive ones.

After a resident of a rehab centre is discharged and goes home, they should be encouraged to continue practicing the art techniques and integrate them into their daily routine and aftercare plan.

This is a supportive alternate option for those who were consuming alcohol or using drugs at a certain time of day, such as after work or on the weekends. They can also schedule time at night to create art as a way to calm themselves down or take an art class during the weekends.

THE ROLE OF DRAWING AND PAINTING IN CORRECTING MENTAL DISORDERS

Drawing and painting are very good practices for many reasons. The materials which are utilized in creating this art projects can be easily gotten. The vision of the artist is under the full control of the artist, and this mode of artistic process, is very beneficial for the mental health of the individual. For those who need a new hobby, drawing and painting is a beneficial one to take on.

Getting the materials which you need to commence painting and drawing are very easy to access. One of the pleasant things about painting and drawing as a hobby is, there is total liberty and control when it comes to what the artist wants to take on. Most artists describe the process of drawing and painting as one which is fully free because they have a say over how the project would run.

Mental health experts and counsellors have advised that in order for an individual to remain balanced, taking on an artistic hobby could come in handy. Due to the fact that the artist is in full control of what their artistic thought pattern can process, they have the freedom of expressing themselves how they desire, and also determine the length of the project.

Such practices are beneficial for having a sound cognitive behavioural thought and analytic mind. There is also a calm effect which it has on the artist as well. When you look about how easy you can access materials which you would use for drawing and painting, you would come to terms with the fact that there are amazing mental health benefits which comes with this act.

There is a large amount of benefits when it comes to drawing and painting, as regards the creative process. Mental health professionals have researched and stated that, the creative pattern for any form of art, has a healing and expanding effect on the brain.

Due to the freedom and the control which this exerts, the creative pattern allows the brain pathways to remain unlocked, thereby giving room for enhanced creativity. Hence, this creative process gives the individual a sound thought pattern which gives them a renewed perspective about life.