5 reasons art therapy is great for your mental health as you age
We know how important it is to look after our physical health as we age, but our mental health is equally important. Studies have shown that besides the immediate impact on wellbeing, older people with untreated mental ill health are at risk of poorer overall health, increased hospital admissions, and an earlier transition into aged care.
Art therapy is an excellent way to boost our mental wellbeing. In a nutshell, this type of therapy is when visual art, such as drawing, sculpting, or collage, is used in a therapeutic context. And don’t be put off if you haven’t picked up a paintbrush since you were a kid. Art therapy is not about creating works of beauty but about the process. It’s a completely judgement free zone!
Emotional release:
Growing up, many of us were never taught that it was okay to express how we’re feeling, especially emotions like anger and sadness. In that way, art therapy can be ideal us older folks who often feel stuck when it comes to expressing ourselves. Art therapy provides the opportunity to express our inner experiences in a visual way. Through the act of creation, we can release pent-up feelings, reduce stress, and experience emotional release.
Another challenging emotion that art therapy can help with is grief. As we age, we are more likely to experience the loss of a loved one and we don’t get ‘used to it’. The hole it leaves in our hearts is just as dark. Through creating art we can explore the feelings of grief and sadness in a safe, judgement-free space. It can also foster a sense of self-compassion and when we have more compassion for ourselves, it becomes easier to accept our emotions.
Stress relief:
Anxiety, depression, and past traumas can heavily impact on our daily lives. Risk factors over our lifespans may change but they don’t magically disappear once we hit a certain age. Illness, grief, financial stress, social isolation, and life transitions such as menopause can all be contributing factors of poor mental health for older adults. Creating art can ease symptoms as we refocus on what we’re creating and move thoughts away from overthinking and worry. Creating art releases dopamine, the chemical responsible for allowing us to feel pleasure and satisfaction. This further reduces bothersome symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Also, participating in art therapy leads to a more creative brain. A creative brain is better equipped to create stress-relieving techniques for other areas of our lives. Through creating art, we draw the fears that are inside our minds. This takes them out of our heads and places them away from us, helping us feel more in control.
Recovering from trauma can be a lifelong process for many, and it’s important for someone dealing with it to find tools that will help this process. Art therapy can be one of those as it can give a sense of agency and self-understanding through the ability to express feelings symbolically. This can give new perspectives of ourselves and our worldview which is essential in the recovery process. It can also help connect with deeply stored emotions and help process them.
Self-discovery:
When we are younger we are often so busy working, socialising, and raising a family many of us never get a chance to take the time out for self-discovery. Self-discovery is important in our lives as it gives us a clearer sense of purpose and direction in life. In turn, this leads to making better decisions that lead to our overall happiness.
Some of us see our kids leave home and suddenly we’re left wondering, who am I when I don’t have a family to care for? Creating art can help us acknowledge and recognise feelings that have been suppressed in our subconscious. Through learning to use different techniques of art our minds open up to thinking more freely. Self-discovery comes from both the finished product we create as well as the process of making it.
Self-esteem:
As we age, it’s easy to look in the mirror and struggle to recognise the person we see. Our bodies are changing, and it can often feel like society doesn’t value us as much as when we were young. It can be a major shift in the way we view ourselves and lead to poor self-esteem. Art therapy teaches us how to use a variety of media to create something new. We can develop talents and see strengths as we master new materials and see the completion of projects. This sense of accomplishment can be a big leg up to our self-esteem.
A sense of community:
Loneliness is a big contributor to poor mental health. Studies show two groups of people are most at risk: young adults and older people. With factors at our age such as children leaving home, not working as much or at all, living alone, and chronic illness, it’s easy to see how loneliness can creep into our lives. Group art therapy is a wonderful way to connect with others. We share a space with those who have similar interests, and it gives us a sense of belonging. For those who can't make a session in person due to distance or illness, some therapists offer online group art therapy.
You don’t need to see an art therapist to get the mental health benefits of creating art. But the advantage of that is they have the skills to work out what best suits your needs. They’ll also work with you through any tough emotions that may arise from your art therapy.
So maybe it’s time to hide those new coloured pencils from the little ones, crack them open, and enjoy them yourself!
If you’d like to find out more about art therapy sessions, the links below are helpful. They offer online, in person and group sessions.
https://www.zevaarttherapy.com/
https://www.alliedarttherapy.com.au/
https://www.solacecreativetherapies.com.au/
https://cata.org.au/programs-ndis/online-creative-art-therapy/
And for some more ideas on dabbling in art therapy on your own (or with a friend), check out Shelley Klammer’s amazing resources. She is US-based but has some online workshops that are also amazing:
https://www.expressiveartworkshops.com/expressive-art-resources/100-art-therapy-exercises/
Article written by Kylie Carberry
Image: Shutterstock