4 Ways Art Can Have a Positive Impact on Your Mental Health
In celebration of World Art Day, we are discussing 4 ways art can have a positive impact on your mental health.
1. Creating Art Enhances Mood
Creating art is not only a wonderful way of expressing your feelings, it also activates reward pathways in our brains. [1]
As a result, this reduces anxiety and stress, thereby improving mood.
2. Visiting Art Galleries: Viewing the World Differently
Visiting art galleries offers positive mental wellness through the feelings it elicits. It is a contemplative experience that lets people slow down, catch their breath, and be fully present. [2]
Additionally, the setting of a museum or gallery provides opportunities for social interaction, decreasing loneliness.
3. Studying Art: Understanding Self
Studying art triggers endorphins similar to those received upon viewing art. Moreover, it provides insights into the role of art in advancing mental health research. [3]
In turn, we may gain a better understanding of how our own minds work and how art can positively contribute to this.
4. Getting Tattoos: Fostering Close Ties to Your Body
Not only do tattoos offer visual representations of things that you love, but they have also been found to foster a closer connection to your body.
According to an article by The Guardian, a study by Professor Viren Swami revealed that individuals who got tattoos experienced a boost in self-esteem, particularly those who had previously faced body image issues.
This positive self-esteem was observed to persist weeks later, suggesting “Once you get your tattoo, you feel much closer to your body.” [4]
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