Unconventional medicine is gaining grounds and is often used parallel to professional help. Art therapy is one such form of unconventional medicine. As the name suggests, art therapy involves creating art to facilitate emotional growth and promote mental and physical healing. The benefits of art therapy for stress are many, particularly for patients dealing with mental health issues, as well as chronic illnesses.
While art therapy often involves drawing or painting other types of artistic expression, such as sculpting or creating a collage are also used.
Creating art gives individuals an opportunity to express themselves freely. In addition, it helps gain insight and self-awareness and work through difficult emotions.
Benefits of Art therapy for stress may include:
- Improved perception: converting emotions in a visual way may help identify and make connections between emotions and body awareness.
- Integration: people who find it difficult to express themselves verbally, find it easier to depict their feelings through imagery.
- Regulating emotions: with some professional help, patients can learn to regulate their emotional instincts and responses
- Behaviour adjustment: art therapy can provide an opportunity to explore the patient’s behavior.
- Persona insight: many patients are able to work through their own internal voices while working on their art.
Who stands to gain from these benefits of art therapy for stress?
- Children with learning disabilities
- Adults experiencing severe stress
- Children suffering from behavioral or social problems at school or at home
- People experiencing mental health problems
- Individuals suffering from a brain injury
- Children or adults who have experienced a traumatic event
Art can permeate the very deepest part of us, where no words exist. Likewise, art therapy provides them a platform where they can speak in their own forms, at their own convenience.
Read more: A Hand That Feeds The Poor
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