Art 4 health

**N teacher** · 19-03-2010, 02:02 AM

Art for Your Health

1. Art is a healthy form of expression

Whether you are angry, sad, depressed, cheerful - there really is no better way to express yourself than through art. Because art is permanent, it allows you to fixate your current emotional state into a physical one. It allows you to translate your current emotional state into an outlet of expression. For one's mental health, this is a fantastic method of realizing your internal struggles and emotions and confronting and relieving them in an external method. This does not mean, though, that you have to create the art yourself. It is possible that you can find another artist's works, delve through his or her imagination on canvas, and discover solutions in the same way!

2. Art for stress relief

At the end of a hard day, hard week, or hard year, there really isn't anything much more soothing than to take a pen and write, take a paintbrush and paint, or simply sit down in front of your favorite book of art or stare into a master's canvas to relieve stress. Whether it is taking a walk through the new museum exhibit, or purchasing a new poster or print that relaxes you, art can help relieve stress. In fact, picking particular pieces of art which you find soothing and placing them in your most stressful environments, whether that be the work or home office, or even at home, you can find that it helps relieve stress daily!

3. Art for exercise

Whether you believe it or not, you can do Art for Exercise! One of the best ways to get exercise is through walking, which is highly recommended by doctors because it is low impact. Perusing your local art store, going to the new museum exhibit, or even simply walking the streets or parks gazing at both man's and nature's artistic expressions can be a fabulous way to burn those extra calories and begin to feel healthy again.

As you can see, it is possible to improve both your mental and physical health while engaging art. Whether you are creating it, viewing it, or bringing it into your life, art can be a wonderful addition to your health.