Art Activities Suggestions

Creating art in our daily lives can bring forth countless benefits. As seen through research on the effectiveness of art and its benefits, the artistic process can positively influence our mental health and even physical health. There are so many artistic activities you can get started with but here are a few suggestions starting with art forms requiring the least materials. 

1. Writing 

Writing is a great art form to manage anxiety or stress through expressive writing, improving mental clarity, focus and sleep. Based on a 2019 research study by Duke Integrative Medicine, writing can nurture resilience and fortitude while lowering symptoms of depression and stress.  When writing about negative experiences, we are empowered to take on the role of an observer and our brains can  process and reorganize information and how it is encoded, mitigating harmful impacts through reflection. As stated succinctly in a Harvard Business Review article,  ‘In writing our stories, we retain authorship over our lives.’ 

2. Doodling

Doodling is an enlightening art technique that is believed to invoke subconscious thoughts and beliefs especially when carried out spontaneously without paying attention to process. It can provide clues to underlying fears or emotions. Doodling can be healing as it helps our minds settle into a peaceful state. Plus,  all you need is paper and a pen!

3. Painting 

Painting is an enjoyable creative outlet with multiple cognitive and physical benefits to our memory, motor skills and confidence. The freedom in colors, textures and shapes forces us to think and transform our mental images of feelings and experiences into physical forms and this  procedure is inherently self-reflective and calming.  

Of course, that’s not all. You can also explore pottery, crochet, knitting, origami and endless other options! Creating art with your friends is also an incredibly fun social catch-up activity or you could join a neighbourhood crochet club to engage in a new hobby and meet new people.  

Written by: Sangeetha

03/2024

References

10 health benefits of painting you won’t want to miss out on. (2021, October 5). Painting to Gogh. https://www.paintingtogogh.com/blogs/news/health-benefits-of-painting#:~:text=Painting%20Encourages%20Positivity%20and%20Offers%20Stress%20Relief&text=Painting%20allows%20for%20emotional%20release,improves%20your%20mental%20health%20significantly

Glass, O., Dreusicke, M., Evans, J., Bechard, E., & Wolever, R. Q. (2019). Expressive writing to improve resilience to trauma: A clinical feasibility trial. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 34, 240–246. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2018.12.005

Glenn Stok. (2023, April 5). How to unleash your subconscious mind by drawing doodles - feltmagnet. FeltMagnet. https://feltmagnet.com/drawing/Unconscious-Creativity

Holly Tiret, M. S. U. E. (2023, June 8). The benefits art therapy can have on mental and physical health. Food & Health. https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/the_benefits_art_therapy_can_have_on_mental_and_physical_health

Loeuy, K. J. (2022, April 11). Art for self-care and mental health. The Whole U. https://thewholeu.uw.edu/2022/04/11/art-for-self-care-and-mental-health/

Neumann, K. D. (2023, December 7). Doodle your way to better mental health. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/health/healthy-aging/doodling/

Shukla, A., Choudhari, S. G., Gaidhane, A., & Zahiruddin, Q. S. (2022). Role of art therapy in the promotion of mental health: A critical review. Cureus. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.28026

Siegel-Acevedo, D. (2021, July 1). Writing can help us heal from trauma. Harvard Business Review. https://hbr.org/2021/07/writing-can-help-us-heal-from-trauma

The mental health impact of doodling. (2018, September 28). CLH Healthcare. https://clhgroup.co.uk/learning-centre/wellbeing/the-mental-health-impact-of-doodling#:~:text=Studies%20have%20shown%20that%20doodling%20can%20relieve%20psychological%20stress%2C%20which,on%20the%20task%20at%20hand