A World in Colour: The Benefits of Art on Mental Well-Being

Art - the expression of imagination and creativity - is universal and immensely impactful. From the elegant chair in your dining room to the colorful murals in the park you pass on your way to work, art is everywhere. One of the most prominent benefits of art is that it is incredibly accessible; people of any age, background, and ability can engage in art, particularly as many different types and formats can be adapted to suit varying abilities, interests, and skill levels. Channeling our thoughts and emotions through art is an accessible, yet effective way to reduce stress, enhance our wellbeing, and provide us with a sense of mastery and accomplishment [1, 2, 3].  

The benefits of art on mental wellbeing

Art as a form of therapeutic expression can enhance mental health and address a variety of  psychological concerns and symptoms. Engaging in art can offer a valuable outlet for emotions and has been linked to improved mental health functioning for those of all ages [1].

• Mood and Anxiety: Recent research on adolescents demonstrated that engaging in singing and listening to music over five days can enhance overall well-being [4]. Another study found that women aged 60 and older with a depressive disorder, who were involved in weekly 90-minute art sessions over five months - incorporating activities like weaving, painting, and clay modeling - experienced significant reductions in symptoms of anxiety and depression [5].

• Schizophrenia: Engaging in art also holds considerable promise in psychiatric settings, particularly for those with schizophrenia. Researchers demonstrated that group visual art therapy (i.e., watercolor and drawing), showed decreases in symptoms of schizophrenia in just 6 weeks, when compared to those receiving conventional treatments such as medication management [6]. Another study found that those with schizophrenia who attended opera performances enhanced recovery, as it promoted social connections among attendees [7].

• Stress: A 2016 study involving over 400 adults revealed that individuals who spent more than 100 hours annually on art-related activities experience higher mental well-being, which was characterized by an improved capacity to manage daily stresses [8]. Another study found that university students who engaged in artistic activities demonstrated greater stress reduction in just 30 minutes when compared to those who engaged in non-artistic activities [9]. 

• Dementia: For individuals with Alzheimer’s disease, art (e.g., painting, singing) can provide a creative avenue to promote quality of life through cognitive stimulation, activity engagement, increased mood, and non-verbal communication [10]. In addition, expressive art activities such as drawing, dancing, and writing not only enhance well-being but can also boost self-esteem by offering a sense of achievement for those with dementia [1].
  

The Broad Benefits of Different Art Forms

Art can involve physical movement, or visual, auditory, or written formats. Research indicates that several forms of art including music, dance, writing, and various types of visual arts - such as painting, film, drawing, and sketching - are beneficial for mental health and wellbeing [1,9]. However, these benefits extend beyond clinical application and can impact multiple dimensions of our everyday lives [1,9].

• Personal Benefits: Engaging in art can foster self-esteem and confidence [2], while also helping individuals cultivate motivation and a sense of purpose [9]. 

• Occupational Benefits: Qualitative reports suggest that the completion of an art project can translate into the professional environment through improved organizational and planning skills [1,9].

• Social Benefits: Artistic group endeavors can encourage the development of social skills and help people create new connections through shared creative pursuits [1,9]. 

Becoming More Engaged in Art

Engaging with art can be daunting, especially if you have never considered yourself particularly ‘artistic’ or ‘creative.’ However, you’re not alone! There are several strategies you can use to get started and optimize your artistic journey. And remember, you don’t have to be naturally talented to enjoy engage with art. 

1. Decide what type of art interests you the most. 

• Play to your strengths! If you are someone who enjoys music or singing, then joining a choir, taking a songwriting class, or learning guitar may be for you. If you are someone who is more introverted, then painting, pottery, or writing may be more suited to your personality. Reflect on what format of expression tends to make you feel most comfortable and is most enjoyable. The definition of art is incredibly broad and can range from a dance class, to writing poetry, to photography. 

2. Integrate socialization wherever possible. 

• Finding a learning buddy, joining an art group or class with friends, or attending community art events are all effective ways to get started while enriching your social connections and improving your mental well-being. The connections you make while expressing and enjoying art is often a key reason why art is beneficial for wellbeing. 

3. Start with tutorials and classes 

• With the rise of digital learning platforms, many art classes are open-source and can be accessed online. You can enjoy the comfort of learning from home via art tutorials on YouTube, or through structured, live online classes; step-by-step instructions and constructive feedback can be very beneficial as you embark on your art journey. Attending in-person art classes at your local community center or studio is another great way to begin engaging with art. This can also be less intimidating and more feasible as art supplies are often provided and the instructor can provide individualized support. 

4. Showcase your achievements

• When you complete something, whether a painting or a new song on the piano, showcase your achievements! Research shows that sharing your accomplishments can boost your confidence and improve your self-esteem, which are core components to mental wellbeing [11]. Further, the ideas, feedback, and/or reinforcement from others that you receive may support you as you move forward in your artistic endeavors. 

Art is a powerful, yet accessible, tool for enhancing our mental health and wellbeing. Expressing ourselves through art, particularly when combined with opportunities for socializing and strengthening our social support system, can significantly enhance our quality of life and help us build connections with others and with the world around us. 

This blog post was written in collaboration with WellIntelTalks, a collective of qualified speakers who provide evidence-based and engaging talks on a variety of mental health and wellness topics to businesses and organizations across Canada. WellIntel’s Speaker database of diverse experts are available in-person or virtually to speak at corporate events, lunch and learn sessions, or facilitate training sessions. Our wellness speakers cover everything from optimizing brain health, promoting mental wellbeing, to optimizing performance under pressure, to addressing workplace burnout; to view their wide selection of different talks and topics, you can visit our website here!

References:

[1] Shukla, A., Choudhari, S. G., Gaidhane, A. M., & Syed, Z. Q. (2022). Role of art therapy in the promotion of mental health: a critical review. Cureus, 14(8), e28026. 10.7759/cureus.28026

[2] Michal (Michelle) Mann, Clemens M. H. Hosman, Herman P. Schaalma, & Nanne K. de Vries, Self-esteem in a broad-spectrum approach for mental health promotion, Health Education Research, Volume 19, Issue 4, August 2004, Pages 357–372, https://doi.org/10.1093/her/cyg041

[3] Van Lith, T., Schofield, M. J., & Fenner, P. (2013). Identifying the evidence-base for art-based practices and their potential benefit for mental health recovery: A critical review. Disability and Rehabilitation, 35(16), 1309-1323. https://doi.org/10.3109/09638288.2012.732188

[4] Grebosz-Haring, K., & Thun-Hohenstein, L. (2018). Effects of group singing versus group music listening on hospitalized children and adolescents with mental disorders: A pilot study. Heliyon, 4(12), e01014. 10.1016/j.heliyon.2018.e01014

[5] Ciasca, E. C., Ferreira, R. C., Santana, C. L., Forlenza, O. V., Dos Santos, G. D., Brum, P. S., & Nunes, P. V. (2018). Art therapy as an adjuvant treatment for depression in elderly women: a randomized controlled trial. Brazilian Journal of Psychiatry, 40, 256-263. https://doi.org/10.1590/1516-4446-2017-2250

[6] Montag, C., Haase, L., Seidel, D., Bayerl, M., Gallinat, J., Herrmann, U., & Dannecker, K. (2014). A pilot RCT of psychodynamic group art therapy for patients in acute psychotic episodes: feasibility, impact on symptoms and mentalizing capacity. PloS one, 9(11), e112348. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0112348

[7] Wells, K.B., Zhang, L., Saks, E.R. et al. Impact of Opera on Resilience and Thriving in Serious Mental Illness: Pilot Evaluation of The Center Cannot Hold Part 2 and Resilience Workshop. Community Ment Health J (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-024-01248-9 

[8] Abbott, K. A., Shanahan, M. J., & Neufeld, R. W. (2013). Artistic tasks outperform nonartistic tasks for stress reduction. Art Therapy, 30(2), 71-78. https://doi.org/10.1080/07421656.2013.787214

[9] Davies, C., Knuiman, M., & Rosenberg, M. (2015). The art of being mentally healthy: a study to quantify the relationship between recreational arts engagement and mental well-being in the general population. BMC Public Health, 16, 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-015-2672-7

[10] McDowell, C., Tamburri, N., Smith, A. P., Dujela, C., Sheets, D. J., & MacDonald, S. W. S. (2022). Exploring the impact of community-based choral participation on cognitive function and well-being for persons with dementia: evidence from the Voices in Motion project. Aging & Mental Health, 27(5), 930–937. https://doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2022.2084508

[11] Mann, M., Hosman, C. M., Schaalma, H. P., & de Vries, N. K. (2004). Self-esteem in a broad-spectrum approach for mental health promotion. Health education research, 19(4), 357–372. https://doi.org/10.1093/her/cyg041