Paint Your Problems Away

By Samantha Caracoza, Staff Reporter

GIOVANNI DOGANIERO/EYE EM/Getty Images

Art has many definitions. People paint to show their creativity and, in the end, seeing the finished work helps bring a sense of pride. Artists paint what they feel safe in: nature, people, etc. These things help to ease the mind which is why people paint these objects. It’s great for those with high levels of stress.

According to an article on the Tessera Living Retirement Home Facility website, “Painting helps build strong mental health at every age and it is never too late to start a new hobby.”

Kindergarten is where a child really connects to their inner creativity. Children paint what they truly feel because they haven’t learned the complexities of the world. Those who paint learn to think outside the box and build up mind-sharpening skills helping themselves cope better when hit with stress.

According to an article on the Harvard Health Publishing website, “Research has also shown that creating visual art can reduce stress and promote relaxation in people.”

The way painting helps release stress is having courage in drawing your problems on canvas. It causes you to no longer think, to no longer subconsciously focus on your problems, and to create a painter’s bubble.

Painting can create anxiety in itself though. Many people become tense when asked to paint something for another person or anxious when they want to paint but are scared for the outcome.

There are many ways you can paint without being scared: paint by numbers, coloring books, or sketching the drawing before you paint. These can reduce the fear created by a blank surface.

According to an article on the Art vs Anxiety Ledgebay website, “The appearance of the artwork doesn’t impact whether a session is successful. The process of making art is essential because it allows the person to relax and get lost in the moment.”

When a person decides to start a painting, they don’t just immediately start. They think of what they’re feeling at the moment.

Many therapists use the method called clinical art therapy when a patient isn’t communicating about themselves well. These drawings help calm the patient’s mind.

Painting helps by distracting you from your problems and allowing for self care.