What you need to know:

Artistic expression may decrease anxiety, feelings of anger and depression
Art can stimulate the release of dopamine, a feel-good chemical in your brain
Art therapy can help you express yourself when you are unable to do so through words

Complex emotions can sometimes be hard to express with words, art therapy gives you a healthy way of expressing and letting go of all your feelings and emotions. According to the American Art Therapy Association, artistic expression may decrease anxiety, feelings of anger and depression. Art therapy has been benefiting individuals with mental health conditions that struggle to express their emotions through words. It helps them find relief.

“It’s actually given me a different way of looking at life.”

— Cassandra says

Here are different ways art therapy can be beneficial for your mental health.

3 ways art therapy can be beneficial for your mental health

1. Self-discovery

Creating art can help you recognize and acknowledge emotions that have been hiding in your subconscious for a long time. Art therapy helps you gain insights on your life journey by processing your past, present, and future.

It helps a person establish and understand who they are as an individual and how they came to be the way they are.

2. Stress release

Studies have shown that creating art can stimulate the release of dopamine, which is a chemical released in the brain that makes you feel good.

Increased levels of this feel-good chemical can be very beneficial for dealing with stress, anxiety and depression.

3. Expressing emotions

The main benefit of art therapy is giving you a constructive outlet for expressing and letting go of all your feelings and concerns. Sometimes it's difficult to put complex emotions like grief or anger into words. Making art can help you express yourself when you are unable to do so through words but still need emotional release.

Who can practice Art Therapy?

“Any kind of individual can benefit from art therapy, whether you have a mental illness or not.”

— says Sandra Crocker, a licensed Art Therapist at Niagara Vision PROS

Anyone who feels overwhelmed by the hectic world we live in should try art therapy.

Creating art gives you a chance to slow down and explore any issues you may be having. It's important to understand that you don't need to be a talented artist to do art therapy. Since the main focus is on the process and not the final product, art therapy is not about becoming a great artist but about finding meaning and connection in your life. All you need for it is a willingness and determination to try something different.

During the process of art creation, you will be taking yourself on a journey of self-discovery that will help you remove emotional roadblocks, and learn how to communicate with yourself and others.