Art therapy isn’t a new thing, and it has been shown to do many great things for people with all different types of illnesses. Some of the things that art therapy can do include reducing stress and improving awareness.
The bonus of doing art therapy, or taking up a craft as a form of therapy, is that it not only does all of these good things for you, but it can be fun. It helps you explore your creative side, and maybe even learn something new.
It Keeps You Busy
When you are diagnosed with an illness, art therapy can help keep you busy which can help keep your mind off of the health issues. While you can’t cure your issues with art or crafts, you can learn to not let them control your life.
Art therapy is great for people suffering from depression, but that’s not the only illness it can help with. Art therapy has proven to do amazing things for cancer and AIDs patients, and can even help those with hormonal imbalances, like polycystic ovarian syndrome.
It Helps You relax
Doing something that has you sitting down and concentrating on a specific task can be very relaxing. Arts and crafts can almost be like a form of meditation.
Artworks are quite well-known in improving the overall mood of a person. These artworks can be done anywhere. It can either be on a piece of paper or a huge wall. If the artwork is done on a wall, you have to ensure that you have the right quality of paint (like those available at primetimepaint.ca) to colour your emotions by using the wall as a canvas.
Many art therapy teachers will also teach you how to express your feelings through art, allowing you to get out those emotions in a more healthy and conducive way.
It Can Help Your Thought Process
Handcrafting helps with the cognitive side of things and is often used in occupational therapy. You learn to focus, follow steps, and you create something out of almost nothing.
When it comes to using art therapy, or crafting, for healing, it may help to tailor the craft to the person doing it. Someone who is stressed will be better doing a craft they are familiar with. Learning something new could effectively add to their stress.
You Create Something Beautiful
Most importantly, doing arts and crafts gives you something to be proud of and after you create something amazing or beautiful with your own to hands it’s hard not to be happy with yourself for doing something so great.
It is a definite mood lifter. Creating something can help give people and patients a sense of accomplishment they may not have had. They may be fighting an illness, but it doesn’t stop them from creating new things.
It’s obvious that creating art and making crafts, whether in a therapeutic session or on your own, can be a great way to work through many issues. It’s like fitness for your hands and mind. You get a workout that help you think clearer and helps you stay focused on something positive.