How can art improve mental health

Art has a positive effect on our mental health. Interesting statement, isn't it? How is it possible that something as "primitive" and yet wonderful as an activity can have similar effects as classical therapy? Whether it's drawing, painting, music and many other creative disciplines, the connections between art and mental health are more than we can imagine. 

One of the main purposes of creative activity is the opportunity to express oneself. The ability to express our emotions without having to use words to do so. 

Being able to let our creativity out through art stimulates the parts of the brain that are responsible for cognition. Especially when it comes to problem solving, memory or concentration. Even art can have its obstacles, and when we have a chance to reflect on them in peace, we find better ways to address them. This can make it easier for us to find creative solutions to problems in real life as well. 

Just as art can help us overcome difficulties, it can also help us better cope with various sorrows and pains. We can relieve ourselves, for example, by writing a diary or letters to a person who has ever hurt us. I myself practice the "you'll never read it anyway" method of letters a lot. I will write a letter to someone who has ever hurt me or even who plays a positive role in my life and then hide it in a drawer. It helps me get the invasive and often negative thoughts out of my head and at least get some distance from the affliction in question. It is also recommended, for example, to visit a place where we went with the person, play a song we listened to together and then create something of your own. A kind of imaginary answer. An emotional response. The main thing is to understand what we are trying to capture with this piece, and how it makes us feel. 

 

Out of sheer curiosity, I asked a long-time friend a few questions to confirm whether art has an effect on other people's mental state as well.

 

1. You said that when you weren't doing well mentally, art helped you a lot. Could you briefly explain how it helped you and what form of art it was (music, drawing/painting, writing...)

 

There were many things that helped me, mostly sports and the psychologist, but art worked on me in a completely different way, and still does to this day, with a calming effect. It's a form of meditation for me.

 

 

2. Do you think art really has any effect on a person's mental well-being, or is it all just a "placebo effect" and we feel that art helps us feel better because external influences "told" us it should?

 

Personally, I would say that it is not a placebo effect. I don't have any scientific basis, so I don't want to claim or prove anything, but the brain stimulation and calming I feel does not seem like a placebo effect.

 

 

3. Mental distress is often linked to physical as well. What made/motivated you to pursue an artistic activity when you were actually not feeling well at all, which is usually a time when you don't want to do anything at all?

 

I personally started painting during the healing process. I was motivated by the desire to do things I always wanted to do but didn't make time for.

4. Is there anything you would say to people who are struggling?

 

That no one is ever alone in this. There's no shame in talking about your problems and it's always possible to feel better, but even that doesn't come naturally. A psychologist is a path to healing and not a shame.