Art Therapy: Making Art Relieves Stress, Even if You’re Not Good

According to a new study by Drexel University, you don’t have to be great at art to benefit from it! Researchers discovered that creating art has a stress-reducing effect on you. This supports a long-time used therapy: art therapy. Whether it’s in a clinical setting or just at home, making art decreases stress–though the effects are stronger in supportive settings. The best part is that anyone can do it and benefit equally. Those that had prior experience didn’t receive any more stress relief than those who had no experience at all. ScienceDaily recently published an article outlining the details of the study.

Art therapy doesn’t have to be in a therapist’s office

Though it’s beneficial to have an art therapist around to help out with questions, those that just want to reap the benefits of art therapy can practice it anywhere. How long does it have to be, though? According to the study, 75 percent of the participants experienced stress relief after only 45 minutes. For many adolescents and kids (and even adults), this is great news. Art is often looked at as a “hobby” or a waste of time; this study proves otherwise. This is not only a reason to continue teaching art in school, but also a reason to encourage your children to be creative–whether that’s painting, coloring, woodcarving, or whatever artistic outlet they want to pick.

Youth may benefit more from art therapy

In the study, they found a small link between age and lower stress levels after making art. This made an assistant professor of creative arts therapies associated with the study, Girija Kaimal, think about how art therapy could possibly benefit students specifically. Kaimal suggested that stress may lower more after art therapy for youth because those that are older have dealt with challenges and stress for a longer period of time; while younger people are still figuring out how to cope with stress and challenges.

Because of this, Kaimal is planning to do another study that will have to do with if “creative self-expression in a therapeutic environment can help reduce stress.” Overall, it’s safe to say that anyone of any age creating art will most likely benefit from it in the form of lower stress levels.

Asheville Academy can help

Asheville Academy, a residential treatment center in a traditional school setting for girls 10-14, helps teen girls struggling with anxiety, depression and other emotional and behavioral issues. If your daughter’s emotional or behavioral struggles has gotten in the way of her success, consider sending her to Asheville Academy, a therapeutic boarding school. With a caring staff and a clinically based program, Asheville Academy can help your daughter feel comfortable with school.

For more information about how Asheville Academy can help your daughter, call 800-264-8709 today!