Mental Health Benefits of Creating Art

The artwork I drew.

There are several mental health benefits of creating artwork including decreasing stress, using it as a form of self-expression and increasing self-esteem and overall well-being.

In the article, “The Mental Health Benefits of Art. Artwalk for Everyone! The Mental Health Benefits of Art” Scripps Affiliated Medical Center says that creating art can be a relaxing distraction. They said, “Your brain gets into a mental flow when creating art; it helps set aside your worries and focuses on the detail of the art you are creating.” Art helps me relax and I like to draw, especially when I am stressed.

I use art as a way to express myself or to express how I am feeling about a situation. I recently drew a cartoon of a fish and a sea turtle inside bubbles in the ocean. In the picture I wrote, “We’re Keeping Distance During Quarantine.” This helped me cope with my anxiety about social distancing during the pandemic. It made me feel good to draw something encouraging.

Creating art can also increase self-esteem. Scripps Affiliated Medical Center says that, “It produces dopamine, which makes people feel good, increases drive, and improves concentration. When you finish a creative project, you feel a boost of dopamine that gives you a sense of accomplishment.” I have experienced this. After I create art, I feel happier and proud of the artwork I made. When I was still living in my dorm room, canvases I painted were hung up and liked looking at the artwork.

Comment down below how art has helped you in your life.