It is well established in many parts of the world that music and art have healing properties, whether that is for physical ailments or mental illness or both. Oftentimes, it isn't as simple as labeling an illness a physical or a mental one as many have components of both. It has been well established that art helps alleviate pain in cancer patients and music helps improve memory in dementia patients.
According to researchers from the American Journal of Public Health, "Music is the most accessible and most researched medium of art and
healing, and there has been a principal emphasis on the soothing
capacity of music and its ability to offset overly technological
approaches to care. In particular, music therapy has been shown to decrease anxiety. The pleasure shared by participants in the healing process through a
music therapy program can help to restore emotional balance as well. There is also evidence of the effectiveness of auditory stimulation,
together with a strong suggestion that such stimulation abolishes pain,
as a strategy for achieving control over pain."
It has been mentioned again and again in literature that music is a great source of reduction in stress as well as pain, physical and emotional. Music has also been linked with the calming of neural activity which can lead to reductions in anxiety.
Art on the other hand can help people express thoughts and feelings that may be too difficult to put into words. Art has been used as a great therapeutic tool for those suffering from depression as well as be a great aid for trauma recovery.
"Art can be a refuge from the intense emotions associated with illness. There are no limits to the imagination in finding creative ways of
expressing grief. In particular, molding clay can be a powerful way to
help people express these feelings through tactile involvement at a
somatic level, as well as to facilitate verbal communication and
cathartic release and reveal unconscious materials and symbols that
cannot be expressed through words." - American Journal of Public Health
These are some very specific examples of how art and music has been utilized in therapeutic ways. There are many, many day to day ways in which art and music are helpful as well. There is a reason for why adult coloring books have become so popular in recent times! Below are some of the ways in which music and art are beneficial for all whether suffering from an illness or not, provided by http://www.drawingonearth.org/resources/10-reasons-why/
Art Generates a Love of Learning & Creativity.
Art develops a willingness to explore what has not existed before. Art
teaches risk taking, learning from one’s mistakes, and being open to
other possibilities. Kids who are creative are also curious and
passionate about knowing more.
Art Develops the Whole Brain.
Art strengthens focus and increases attention, develops hand-eye
coordination, requires practice and strategic thinking, and involves
interacting with the material world through different tools and art
mediums.
Art Prepares Kids for the Future.
Creative, open-minded people are highly desired in all career paths.
Art and creative education increases the future quality of the local and
global community. Being creative is a life long skill and can be used
in every day situations.
Art Teaches Problem Solving.
Making art teaches that there is more than one solution to the same
problem. Art challenges our beliefs and encourages open-ended thinking
that creates an environment of questions rather than answers.
Art Supports Emotional Intelligence.
Art supports the expression of complex feelings that help kids feel
better about them selves and helps them understand others by “seeing”
what they have expressed and created. Art supports personal meaning in
life, discovering joy in one’s own self, often being surprised, and then
eliciting it in others.
Art Builds Community.
Art reaches across racial stereotypes, religious barriers, and
socio-economical levels and prejudices. Seeing other culture’s creative
expression allows everyone to be more connected and less isolated – “see
how we are all related.” Art creates a sense of belonging.
Art Improves Holistic Health.
Art builds self-esteem, increases motivation and student attendance,
improves grades and communications, nurtures teamwork, and strengthens
our relationship to the environment.
Art is Big Business.
At the core of the multi-billion dollar film and video game industry
are artists creating images and stories. Every commercial product is
artistically designed, from chairs to cars, space stations to iPods. And
a Picasso painting just sold for 106 million dollars.
Art Awakens the Senses.
Art opens the heart and mind to possibilities and fuels the
imagination. Art is a process of learning to create ourselves and
experience the world in new ways. Arts support the bigger picture view
of life: beauty, symbols, spirituality, storytelling, it also helps us
step out of time allowing one to be present in the moment. Art keeps the
magic alive.
Art is Eternal.
Creativity and self-expression has always been essential to our
humanity. Our earliest creative expressions were recorded in
petroglyphs, cave paintings, and ancient sculptures. One of the first
things kids do is draw, paint, and use their imaginations to play.
For additional reading on this topic:
http://www.healthcommunities.com/chronic-pain/music-therapy-art-therapy-healing.shtml
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2804629/
http://ncfy.acf.hhs.gov/features/thinking-creatively-family-and-youth-work/art-therapy
http://www.everydayhealth.com/hs/major-depression/creative-therapies/
http://health.usnews.com/health-news/patient-advice/articles/2014/05/27/paint-write-sing-how-the-arts-help-heal-patients
http://www.americansforthearts.org/sites/default/files/ArtsInHealthcare_0.pdf
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/brick-brick/201402/does-music-have-healing-powers
http://www.drawingonearth.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/10reasonswhy.pdf
As we just ended April aka Mental Health Awareness Month, we
would like to share some tips for a healthier you (mentally and
otherwise).
Continue reading below for a few ways to mind your health
this month and for all the other months of the year too!
1)
Sleep Enough: sleeplessness, depression and anxiety are all
interrelated to each other; sleeplessness can aggravate depression and
depression/anxiety can cause sleeplessness. Lack of sleep can also
impair judgement and make one forgetful. Having a daily routine can help
in creating a time for bed, in turn leading to better sleep. Making
sure that there are no distractions while one is attempting to sleep,
such as, having the TV on, having a cell phone close by to browse
through while laying down, etc. Getting the recommended 8 hours each
night can help alleviate overall daily stressors.
2)
Take a Daily Walk: walking and body movement in general, whether in the
form of exercise or just a stroll can have significant impact on one's
daily life. Some ways in which one can incorporate into daily life is by
taking your pet for a walk (longer than the usual time), walking with a
friend, walking up the stairs instead of taking an elevator, walking
during a phone call, and walking after a meal are all ways in which one
can include walking while accomplishing various other tasks. Getting the
recommended 10,000 steps daily can lead to a healthier lifestyle.
3)
Drink more Water: drink a whole glass of water after waking up each
morning. Drinking water first thing in the morning (and all day) will
help energize the muscles and get the body moving. In addition, drinking
water throughout the day will help in keeping caloric intake down and
help one in feeling fuller longer. Drinking water will also aid in
keeping one's skin look more hydrated and clearer. Water will also aid
your kidneys in flushing out toxins, and help in maintaining normal
bowel functions. Getting the recommended six to eight 8 ounce glasses of
water a day can lead to a well oiled body.
4)
Check your Mood and Energy: take a moment to evaluate mood and energy,
breathe deeply, exhale and assess the energy level as well as the
feelings and thoughts. Keeping a check on one's mood and energy can aid
in taking the right steps to take rest if energy is low, perhaps take a
walk if, talk to a dear friend or play with a pet if the mood maybe off.
Being mindful of how one's mood and energy is flowing through the day
can help in creating a homeostasis within the mind and body.
5)
Make (and maintain) Social Connections: everyone has a need for lasting
and long relationships, making new social connections and maintaining
social connections can make a huge difference in daily living. A phone
call or text from a friend can help make a dreary day better. Taking
time to visit family members can foster social connections and maintain
them over time. Having and making the time for others can make one's own
life healthier and more enjoyable!
We hope you found these tips helpful for a healthier you!
