I watched a movie once about a woman who was in the midst of a mental breakdown. She drove to the country and booked a charming room in a quaint hotel to heal. It worked, but it seemed to be a long and painful experience.
Whether it’s anxiety, a piercing heartbreak or agonizing depression, in the real world most of us don’t have the means or the opportunity to book a private grieving retreat in the woods. Most of us need to swallow the unbearable and put one foot in front of the other all the way to work, regardless of our emotional stability.
Some of us have responsibilities and need to maintain a happy front at home. While some of us would rather poke ourselves in the eye with a dull pencil before burdening others with our problems. So… we suffer in silence.
Something has to give.
The gym or a brisk run will no doubt improve mental health and bring reprieve quickly, even if it is temporary. When I’m upset, however, I become physically ill, almost debilitatingly. Exercise or running isn’t an option for me.
Taking turns crying into my pillow and staring at a tree outside the window all day also isn’t an option. If only it were…
I was feeling particularly frustrated and angry one day and wasn’t sure how to channel that negative energy. That’s when I grabbed an art canvas, paints, and brushes and just went for it. I have art supplies on hand regularly.
As I was sculpting a thick moulding medium onto the canvas with my hand swirling and creating texture the impossible happened.
The debilitating pain disappeared. It just vanished with each motion.
I kept ‘finger painting’ with the paste and once finished I washed the goop from my hand and impatiently waited for the paste to dry. Naturally, I began painting while the canvas was still tacky but the process was relaxing and took me to another place. The artistic process brought me to an alternate reality where I control the outcome. I’ve heard of art therapy, but this was the first time I understood to power behind it.
What is art therapy?
Psychology Today discusses the benefits of art therapy for many mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, trauma, grief and stress. Art therapy has also been used to help with personality disorders.
I’ve studied anxiety at great lengths and see the correlation between meditation and art.
Art therapy, however, is more than meditation alone. Qualified art therapists can offer a deeper understanding of texture and colour along with basic composition and what it “can reveal” about oneself.
As in Forbes Magazine, “Art therapy is a practice that uses art to facilitate healing,” says Shaye Mueller, LPC, a registered art therapist based in Chicago. During an art therapy session, the therapist will pay attention to such things as the pressure the client is using with the paintbrush, they’ll watch the colour choice, if any, and will utilize these observations.
Certified art therapist Emily Davenport, MA explains how memories and trauma are formed in different parts of the brain and that art therapy provides the tools to bring the two together. Other forms of therapy such as cognitive behavioural therapy can especially help with ‘tapping into’ different parts of the brain to complement art therapy.
Essentially, the therapist will then help the client use art to help manage distress and find ‘resolutions for their issues’.
“If you hear a voice within you say “you cannot paint,” then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced.” — Vincent Van Gogh
This one particular evening I was distraught over something I had no control over. My stomach was in pain, my heart was thumping and I felt shaky. Through artistic expression, my physiological symptoms immediately faded. Of course, this may not be the outcome for every situation but it was a healthy outlet for me at that moment. I also created a nice work of art.
How is art therapy practised?
- Once the therapist explains what art therapy is, they will ask their client questions about what is bothering them.
- The therapist will offer a range of art forms such as painting, drawing, collage, and sculpture.
- The therapist will Observe the client’s body language during the art session.
- The client and therapist will discuss any emotions the art process initiated.
Other ways art therapy helps
- Pain relief during hospitalization
- Diminishes pain, fatigue and anxiety for patients undergoing cancer treatments
- Shown to increase life expectancy
- Coping mechanisms for prison inmates
- Anxiety, depression, mood disorders
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
Negative aspects of art therapy
- As in other forms of treatment, unwanted emotions can surface that may be difficult to manage. This can further increase distress.
- Treatment can be ineffective and may cause detrimental effects when trying other treatments; the client may be hesitant to try other forms of therapy.
- This is a relatively new treatment with very little science-backed evidence.
- Clients may shy away from art therapy believing they need to be ‘good at art’.
“Art is a guarantee to sanity,” — Louise Bourgeois 98 year old French American Artist
Art and meditation
The Washington Post explores art and meditation in their article; “Why making art is the new meditation”. They’ve found art can promote self-acceptance, calm the mind and provide a foundation or home base to keep one grounded.
I find art has given me something to look forward to, it’s given me something to think about when negative thoughts begin to take over as they often can. I’m excited about my new project, it’ll be an acrylic painting on canvas in neutral tones with the textured medium I love so much.
Acrylic paint, canvas and brushes can be affordable at the dollar store, or a frequent sale at your local craft store.
I’m looking forward to my next masterpiece. I’m by no means a traditional or classically skilled artist; I focus solely on colour and texture. Anything that feels good to me. I can’t paint trees or landscapes, or even still art. But the result of what I’ve created boosts my self-esteem and therefore improves my mental well-being.
If you find yourself feeling idle with negative thoughts overtaking your day, try to set time aside to make art; any kind of art, or even look into your nearest art therapy session.
Art has been around for 30,000 years there must be something we can draw from this gift handed down to us!
—
Previously Published on Medium
Featured image iStock
