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Art for Stress Relief
Not Just for Artists
Art for stress relief is not a new thing. People (other than artists) have been doing it for ages. And naturally, it’s been a go-to for artists. Every time I work on a commission, it might also serve as a stress reliever. In many ways, art for stress relief and art therapy are similar. I would say the main difference is that under the term art therapy, one would focus their art specifically on healing some type of trauma under the watchful eye of a licensed art therapist.
In a previous post, Art Therapy Ideas, the idea was more attuned to addressing a particular trauma or heartache and particular methods to deal with them. When one turns to art for relieving day to day stress, it’s more of a relaxing activity that allows the mind to release general feelings of stress or anxiety. It works very much like when one loses themselves in a good book, gardening, meditating, or assembling a jigsaw puzzle. It’s an activity that allows your mind to relax and wander.
In fact, researchers have discovered that up to 75% of a small group (39 adults) studied showed decreased levels of cortisol, the stress hormone after a 45-minute art session. Constant elevated levels of cortisol is bad, folks. Makes you lose sleep, increases your blood pressure, and get fat.
