Engaging in art has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety levels and have a positive impact on mental health and well-being. One of the eight components of wellness is creative wellness, and making space to embrace your inner artist can have a ripple effect in others areas of wellness. Perhaps you choose to engage in art on your own time, but you can also find healing through participating in art therapy.
What Is Art Therapy?
Art therapy is a specific type of therapeutic practice that encourages self-expression through painting, modeling, drawing, and other forms of art. Art therapy is healing because it allows you to engage in activities that connect your mind and body, which is essential for holistic healing and honoring the mind-body connection.
What if I’m Not an Artist?
Engaging in art or art therapy does not require you to be an artist. Because you are human, you have the innate ability to express your inner world artistically. There is no such thing as being “good” or “bad” at art—especially when it comes to using art to heal. In this sense, expressing yourself through art could even help you release perfectionism as you learn there is no right or wrong way to go about creative expression.
Benefits of Art Therapy
The creative process of art therapy is connected to positive mental health outcomes. As it connects the mind and body, it can also improve your quality of life from a psychological and emotional standpoint. It also helps you heal emotional scars with nonverbal, creative communication. Sometimes there are no words to describe how you feel, and creating art can help you process things you have no words for.
Although art therapy is not a “one and done” treatment when it comes to healing from addiction and mental illness, it is often used along with other forms of therapy, such as individual and group therapy. With art therapy, you can get creative without being an artist and feel more connected to yourself with an increased sense of well-being.
When it comes to healing from addiction and mental illness, treatment can come in many forms. One type of therapy that is often incorporated into treatment is art therapy, which is linked to experiencing an increased state of well-being and mental health. Art allows individuals to create art without being an artist, creatively express themselves, and allow themselves to process emotional pain non-verbally. Although art that heals can be created outside of art therapy, engaging in structured art therapy can be a catalyst for healing. Call Avalon Malibu at (844) 857-5992.
