Written by: Edi Matsumoto, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Humans have long known that art has healing power, from cave paintings, carved stones, and clay figures to jewelry made of beads, metals, and gemstones. Artwork may be used for practical purposes, but often it is used for pleasure, decoration, worship, or divine protection. Art objects had special meaning to those who created them and those who viewed, touched, adored or worshiped them. We use art to record and share precious moments of beauty and wonders of the world, to visualize dreams and ideals, and to use as a symbol of a higher power for worship, healing, and prayers. The artwork seems to be an essential element of our psyche, heart, and soul. We all need the benefits of the healing power of art in our fast-paced computerized society, especially now when the world has shut down due to COVID, and people are more isolated and divided. Art is a common language people can understand and connect beyond their nationality, race, or spoken language.
Benefits of engaging in an artmaking activity
The literature review demonstrates art's potential physiological and psychological benefits. The benefits include but are not limited to an improved sense of well-being, positive emotions, expressions of hidden feelings, social interactions, and sleep. At the same time, it also appears to help decrease stress, anxiety, distress, tension, and low self-esteem, to name a few.
As I reviewed related literature, several common threads emerged as to why art may aid the healing process.
1. A form of distraction: The artmaking process may help take the mind off pain, discomfort, or negative thoughts and emotions and shift the focus on positive life experiences and pleasure, relieving concerns around the source of stress. The creative process can also engage people in kinesthetic, sensory, or perceptual experiences. the
2. Alternate identity: The process of artmaking may provide a new identity aside from the already established role and free one from potentially harmful association with the existing identity, such as a parent, teacher, patient, or caregiver.
3. Social network: The creative process may also nurture a new relationship with the art teacher, art therapist, classmates, art group members (who may be in a similar situation), and people around you or on social media who appreciate art.
4. Sense of control and achievement: Learning new techniques, tools, and media and creating artwork may provide a sense of power and accomplishment which helps improve self-esteem and enhance self-confidence. It is important to note that the effect seems to be positive regardless of artistic talent or prior experience.
5. Symbolic expression: Some may feel uncomfortable expressing themselves verbally, and art can provide non-verbal symbolic expression of deep thoughts or emotions in a non-threatening way. "The visual and symbolic expression gives voice to experience and empowers the individual."
6. Brain chemical change: It is known that artistic and creative tasks engage the right side of the brain as opposed to logical and linguistic studies, which typically engage the left side of the brain. Research shows that art changes brain chemistry and blood flow, and it may also provoke neuronal changes, which are linked with decreased stress and anxiety.
Benefits of art appreciation
As a portrait artist, when I show my work, I hear comments such as, "That is me. I know exactly how s/he feels." I believe that seeing oneself in another's artwork can be a catalyst for emotional healing when one feels vulnerable, frustrated, exhausted, or even isolated. As I observed art viewers and listened to their comments, I understood the benefit of simply viewing, engaging with, and appreciating the artwork. Here are some examples:
Discovering a voice in an artwork that can speak for you;
Finding solace or inspiration in an artwork that you feel connected to or receive energy from;
You uncover your inner (possibly unexpressed) thoughts, feelings, or emotions that you may not be aware of or cannot articulate. It may be stimulated by an element in an artwork that provokes or triggers new ideas, concepts, or points of view.
Recommendations
I recommend that anyone who feels stuck, unfulfilled, or isolated to incorporate more art into their lives. The realm of creative expression is limitless. I encourage people to cultivate the inner artist in whatever genre inspires them: music, dance, theater, drawing, coloring, painting, photography, video-making, sculpture, collage, crafts, sewing, knitting, creative writing, storytelling, culinary arts, or gardening. Take time every week to be creative either by yourself or with a group (friends or class). Let your art be another way to communicate with others. Remember, the benefits of artmaking do not necessarily require talent or experience.
Also, don't forget the benefits of soaking up art passively in addition to active artmaking. Take every opportunity to experience art in museums, parks, and stores. Surround yourself with inspiring art, and talk to your colleagues about art. And, of course, there is nature ‒ the natural art world around us. There is a reason that the aphorism "stop and smell the roses" resonates today. Appreciate the exquisite shape, colors, and fragrance of the rose. Life is art itself.
For those interested, please check out the Free 5-Day Challenge: Awaken Your Inner Artist here.
Edi Matsumoto is an award-winning artist, wearable art designer and creativity coach.
Edi Matsumoto, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Edi Matsumoto is an experienced health, wellness, and spiritual coach. After working with Mother Theresa in Kolkata, India, while she was alive, Matsumoto devoted almost 30 years to healthcare, helping thousands of patients with physical and mental wellbeing. She is the founder of the Satori Method based on her experience as a nurse practitioner, certified wellness coach, and facilitator of a spiritual course. Satori is a word for awakening or enlightenment in Japanese. Unlike the traditional spiritual methods in which one devotes decades to one discipline, she combines positive psychology, meditations, the law of attraction, theory, practicum, and modern technology all in one program to meet the individual needs. She is a bilingual speaker, author, and an accomplished artist. Her mission is to help people uncover the state of fundamental well-being they were born with and unleash their creativity.
