In a world that often rushes through the canvas of life, art stands as a timeless remedy. Beyond strokes and colors, it can be used as a sanctuary for self reflection and mindfulness for students here at Foran, especially during stressful and challenging times such as studying for academic pursuits.
According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) website, studies show that art therapy is gaining popularity in mental health settings due to its person centered, recovery aligned approach which covers emotional, social and clinical needs.
Art teacher Mrs. Deanna Dotson explains her view on how art calms down the mind and body.
“Art is naturally meditative. Your heart rate relaxes and your pulse relaxes.” says Dotson.
Her advice for students who want to use art as a way to relieve stress and relax is to doodle and use coloring books due to their repetitive nature.
“I think something that has a repetitive motion puts you in a trance-like state,”. Dotson shares.
Finding a creative outlet to cope with anxiety helps people alleviate stress. Beyond arts and crafts, art therapy encompasses a wider range of activities, including music therapy and clay modeling. Gym and health teacher Mr. Thomas Hair shares his thoughts on different art styles to use.
“There is not a right or wrong choice for ‘art’ when you are trying to relax. One should try multiple forms of art therapy such as: drawing, painting, sculpting, and dancing. By trying multiple ways of art therapy, you can figure out which therapy is the best form for you,” Hair says.
As a therapeutic method, art unlocks the gateway to express and explore emotions, allowing individuals to analyze, identify themes, and unravel conflicts reflected in their art. This, emphasized in the Verywell Mind website, provides a pathway to understanding and addressing the roots of one’s emotions.
“A psychological theory that is used in art therapy is Cognitive Behavioral Art Therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapies are focused on alternating negative thoughts and behavior patterns to be focused on positive ones,” Hair explains.
Art therapy can help with many different mental disorders. According to the Verywell Mind website, it can help treat anxiety, depression, eating disorders, stress, and more.
Ultimately, using art as a way to unwind from various stresses someone may have can be mentally beneficial for any student.
