Unknowingly, you have literally been boosting your psychological health while you exhibit your creativity, particularly if sculpting, painting, scrapbooking, drawing or photography constitute part of your favourite hobbies. This article explores some emotional benefits of arts and crafts.
There are numerous emotional benefits of arts and crafts you stand to get when you engage in them. Some of those benefits include improved mental productivity, enhanced self-confidence and lesser effects of mild health issues.
As a lover of arts, what are the emotional benefits of arts and crafts available when you practice it? Few benefits to enjoy from this creativity hobby are outlined below.
1. Lower Stress Levels
According to a study published in the American Journal of Public Health, it was established that people who often practice art experienced lower stress levels and a positive boost in their respective emotions.
Your mind gets occupied when you are carried away working on art, and helps to keep negative thoughts at bay. As a result, a meditation state is triggered where distress concerns are temporarily hibernated. With consistent practice, it helps to reduce your stress levels giving you a clearer mind.
2. Higher Sense Of Confidence
The sight of one’s finished art work triggers your sense of confidence to grow. It bursts your ego by producing more neurotransmitter dopamine. As an emotional improver hormone, it lowers feelings of depression and grooms your self confidence. Art events have the capability to install a feeling of achievement in you.
3. Increases Empathy
Engaging in, or learning about art carries the strong ability to alter the pattern of your feelings and thoughts. At the University College London, a researcher discovered that mere looking at a piece of art can improve your critical thinking abilities and gives you satisfaction. Another academic, Professor Semir Zeki found out that folks who engage in art works easily tolerate other people and have great senses of empathy.
4. Enhances Quality Of Life For Sick People
The American Journal of Public Health referenced above also established that people suffering from serious medical conditions such as Alzheimer’s and dementia exhibited improved medical symtoms after viewing works of art. The creativity behind arts reduces symtoms of psychiatric disorder and social patterns. A physician, Dr Arnold Bresky, who uses art and crafts as a therapy to treat patients suffering from Alzheimer’s, said his patients had improved the memories by 70 percent. Some senior homes recommend art therapy for people with dementia.
5. Increased Brain Productivity
An increment in the secretion of dopamine triggered by engaging in arts and crafts positively influences the production of fresh neurons, which facilitates concentration, focus and the readiness of the brain to learn. With an active participation in arts and crafts, you solidify the connection between the right and left hemispheres of your brain. Consequently, a solid connection between the two half spheres increased your mental productivity and psychological resilience. Painting your home is a good activity to do.
Final Thoughts
There are many other emotional benefits of arts and crafts, but the five factors listed above are the most prominent ones backed up by research facts. If you want to strengthen your emotional strength, definitely arts is not a hobby you should shy away from. There are a lot of creative handcrafts you can do at home, and gain these emotional health benefits.
