Experiencing Art for Therapy

Several studies have explored the advantages of using art museums as settings for therapy. The results show that this is particularly helpful for people who are managing mental health challenges, dementia, social isolation, and the elderly. The benefits are quite amazing, including memory improvement, stress reduction, and feelings of inclusion. Museums are judgment-free zones and places where people with similar interests go, often encouraging self-reflection and communication with strangers through a shared experience. The aesthetic experience and activities in the museums can have a positive effect on mood, self-worth, and general well-being as well. The same effect can also be seen at cultural events, where traditional art take shape in the form of dance, music and live plays.

Kathakali: a traditional form of storytelling from Kerala, India

It turns out that the type of art doesn’t seem to matter. Both traditional and contemporary art have been found to promote well-being, cognitive enhancement (including memory, attention, creativity, decision-making, and other cognitive abilities), and positive social impact in people with dementia and their caregivers. The thumb rule is the better you understand and relate to the art, the more likely you are to feel positive emotions. And just the act of processing art can induce positive emotions.

Art at Home

So, how can you incorporate art into your home? Here are a few tips:

• Choose art that speaks to you and makes you feel good.
• Pick pieces that remind you of good memories. Yes, even paintings by your kids count.
• Mix and match different types of art, such as paintings, sculptures, and photographs.
• Display art in areas where you spend the most time, such as the living room or bedroom.
• Consider incorporating art into unexpected spaces, such as the bathroom or kitchen.
• Use your screen backgrounds to your advantage, placing images that you find inspiring. Photos of kids and pets included!

Incorporating art into your home design is a simple and effective way to improve your overall well-being. Another simple way is to pay attention to the art around you, many cities have amazing street art hiding in plain view and finding the one you like the best can be a fun game.

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Creating art with other people can have a positive impact on our well-being, connecting us with others and fostering empathy and a sense of community. Art therapy is commonly used in schools, therapy centers, and public installations.

But the benefits are seen even if you do it alone. This applies even (and especially) if you don't consider yourself an artist. Turns out what your artwork looks like or sounds like does not reduce the positive impact on the brain. Yes, doodling while you are in a Zoom meeting counts and no, you don't need to show it to anyone.

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Author's note:Hey there! It's currently 8 pm on Thursday here in California and I just wanted to say how much I appreciate your patience this week. I've been swamped and it's been tough to balance everything while also trying to meet my perfectionist tendencies. But I'm learning on being kinder to myself and focusing on progress over perfection without sacrificing quality. So, even though this week's newsletter may be a little late, I promise it is well-researched and hope it is worth the wait. Thank you so much for your understanding and for sticking with me on this journey. Looking forward to catching up with you next Thursday!

Keep flourishing,

  Gayathri

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