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Why Making Art is the Best Thing You Can Do To Relieve Stress
Last Updated on March 21, 2024 by Tracey McGrath
I’m an artist and a pharmacist. The two don’t seem synonymous but in reality they actually work together quite well. I’m often stressed out at my pharmacy job. And one of the benefits of making art is relieving stress!
And today, I want to SHOW you why making art is a good choice for you too.
If you have questions like:
- What’s so great about making art when I don’t have the time or talent?
- Why do I need to relieve stress?
- What would I gain from taking my precious time to make art?
- And how do I even get started?
This blog post is for you.
Why Making Art is the Best Thing You Can Do To Relieve Stress
Reduces Cortisol Levels (aka the stress hormone)
Not all stress is bad for sure. Humans need challenges to overcome. Our bodies need resistance to build strength. But long-term stress, the kind that seems to never go away, can lead to heart disease, weight gain, high blood pressure and depression.8
Cortisol is the hormone that rises in response to stress. When cortisol levels remain high in your body it can lead to weight gain, thinning skin, irritability, and a lot of other not-so-fun symptoms.8 Managing stress by doing hobbies you enjoy (like art) is one way that you can reduce cortisol in your body.9
Improves Your Mood
One study shows that “creativity is positively associated with subjective well-being”. This means that the study participants had a higher overall opinion of their well-being after doing creative activities. It also shows that “individuals can improve their subjective well-being by fostering and strengthening their creativity”. This means that by doing creative activities you can improve your overall sense of well-being.
Reduces Anxiety
Art helps to express emotions in a safe environment. One study shows that this form of self-expression helps to reduce anxiety and stress. And it doesn’t necessarily matter what type of art you’re making. Any form of creative expression seems to do the trick. And just looking at art can also help to reduce anxiety.10 So, find yourself a local art museum and plan a visit. Check out my article on how to reduce your anxiety with art!
Escape from Stress/Worries
Art is a great way to focus on something besides all your worries and never-ending to-do list. While creating your brain is focusing on the task at hand. And while your brain has something else to distract it, you don’t allow it to worry or stress out. Check out my FREE Mindful Art Guide for some simple exercises to get started!
Reduces Blood Pressure
Making art has been shown to reduce blood pressure and improve heart rate variability.12 Also, visiting an art museum may have health benefits such as blood pressure reduction.11. The process of making art has a calming effect for many.
Improved Quality of Life Perception
One study shows that making art and having strong relationships (like those that an art community can foster) leads to better life satisfaction. When you make time to do something creative and hang with friends you’re not only having fun in the short term but also helping your overall sense of how good your life is. Check out my article on how to plan your very own Art Party!
Sense of Accomplishment/Improve Self-Esteem
Making art helps you develop a sense of pride. Just by creating something you have a sense of accomplishment. And taking the time to devote to your self-care also fosters a sense of pride. There’s the added benefit of improving your artistic skills as you practice. Your confidence improves the more you practice. However, you don’t need to be “talented” or a natural artist to make art. You are already a creative being.
Let’s Connect!
Not sure where to get started? Let me guide you! I have developed a self-paced digital course that guides you through easy-to-do mindful art exercises. This course is designed to help you use art and other personal growth strategies to relieve your stress. You can check it out here!
References:
- https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/06/160615134946.htm
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8305859/
- https://www.arttherapy.org/EatingDisorderToolkit/assessingstress.pdf
- https://medium.com/@annmubasher/art-as-the-escape-how-creativity-can-help-manage-anxiety-and-depression-541548d9fb1
- https://www.cedars-sinai.org/blog/healing-powers-of-art.html#:~:text=Artistic%20expression%20is%20also%20linked,properties%20support%20the%20immune%20system.
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7864897/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9549330/
- https://health.gov/myhealthfinder/health-conditions/heart-health/manage-stress#:~:text=But%20long%2Dterm%20stress%20can,Planning%20ahead
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22187-cortisol
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2804629/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31038442/
- https://www.artsandmindlab.org/heart-health-and-the-arts/
Tracey McGrath is an artist and pharmacist. She is on a journey to share how mindful art can help women with their mental health. She is a certified mindful art teacher by the International Mindfulness and Meditation Alliance and a certified meditation teacher by UnPlug Meditation Studio. She is also a Duke Health & Well-Being Usui Reiki Level 3 Master Practitioner as well as a Certified Strategic Life Coach and Certified EFT Practitioner by Priority Academy. She earned her doctorate of pharmacy from UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy in 2004.