Amidst the hustle and bustle of daily life, when was the last time you picked up a pencil and paper and just drew something – for the fun of it? Scribbling, drawing, and colouring may seem like activities better suited for kids in school, but it can also have important benefits for adults. In fact, engaging in artistic activities, be it painting, sculpting, sketching, or photography, are beneficial to one’s mental health and wellness.
If you are still contemplating whether to pick up a new art form, or find out if art therapy in Singapore could be for you, the therapeutic effects of art may just convince you to take that first step towards achieving healing through art.
Art melts away stress and anxiety
The paper, paintbrush, and the rhythmic swoosh of the paint gliding across paper – there is something simply calming about being alone with your thoughts and focusing on a creative activity. It doesn’t matter whether the artwork turns out perfect or not. At that moment, all that matters are your movements and what you are creating. As the ideal escape from the lightning-fast pace of our daily lives, art provides a haven for reducing feelings of anxiety and stress, and lightening the burden of negative thoughts.
Art is an outlet for expression
Let’s be real. It is not always easy expressing your honest thoughts to the people around you. Fear of judgment and lack of the right words to say can be obstacles to expressing your true feelings. Instead of bottling it all up, art provides an alternative outlet for expressing what you feel. Consciously or unconsciously, your state of mind will find its way into your art and provide relief in the form of emotional release.
Art is a door to your own thoughts
The time spent doing art can be a valuable time of emotional processing, helping yourself work through difficult emotions and achieve closure on emotional issues. By engaging the creative side of your brain, you are prompted to process incidents in a different perspective from that of a logical one. Art therapy is a science-backed practice that works on this basis to help troubled individuals come to acceptance and self-discovery through art.
Art boosts confidence
It is reported that 85% of people struggle with self-confidence issues at some point in their lives. Feelings of being ‘not good enough’ or being ‘worthless’ can plague one’s mind and affect their self-esteem. Yet, art has a way of rebuilding that confidence by contributing to a sense of accomplishment with every finished work. Knowing that you are capable of producing a unique piece of art work is testament to your individuality and value.
Harnessing the benefits of art for your mental wellness
While many people consider art to be an enjoyable hobby, it also has countless benefits to mental health that should not be ignored. If you are thinking about incorporating art into your self-care routine and mental health journey, an art journal can be the first step in offering a safe space to let your emotions out. Art classes or workshops are also an option for developing your art skills and providing a platform for meeting likeminded hobbyists. Alternatively, you may consider art therapy if you have specific issues you wish to work on with a certified mental health therapist in Singapore.
At our centre for counselling in Thomson, we host numerous art workshops over the year so that all can experience the therapeutic effects of art. We welcome all to join us sometime to experience it for yourself!