From ancient times to the present day, art has played a fundamental role in human communication and expression. However, in contemporary society, art is often considered primarily as entertainment, while its therapeutic value is sometimes overlooked. Art has a profound and complex impact on our mind and emotional well-being. Different forms of art, such as music and visual arts, stimulate specific areas of the brain and create connections between sensory, emotional and cognitive experiences, offering numerous psychological and emotional benefits such as managing anxiety and increasing self-esteem.
Article Key Points
What happens to our mind when we are in contact with art
When we look at a work of art, visual perception begins in the retina, where a first impression is formed. This impression is then processed in the primary visual cortex of the occipital lobe. Subsequent processing stages, such as recognizing colors, shapes, and motion, involve other brain areas:
Temporal Lobe: related to memory and the interpretation of visual information.
Limbic System: associated with emotions and affective response.
Frontal Lobe: involved in abstract and conceptual thought processes.
This complex processing allows us to connect artistic representations to our experience of the world, creating a bridge between what we see and our perception of reality. neuroscience Modern techniques and neuroimaging have provided new insights into the functioning of the brain during the artistic process. Creative people often show a less pronounced hemispheric dominance. The right hemisphere, specialized in metaphorical thinking, playfulness and synthesis, plays a crucial role in visualization and imagination, while the left hemisphere helps maintain balance in artistic production (Demarin V, Bedeković MR, 2016).
Music: How do we process stimuli?
Listening to music involves different areas of the brain, each with a specific role in processing the various components of the musical experience. Music is a powerful stimulus for neuroplasticity, as demonstrated by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies that highlight changes in the motor and auditory cortex of professional musicians. In addition, music can influence the levels of neurotransmitters and hormones. Studies on the Mozart effect suggest that listening to music can improve cognition, motor skills and recovery after brain injury. The prefrontal cortex is crucial for processing emotions and memories evoked by music, integrating emotional responses to melodies and harmonies (Demarin V, 2016). The right temporal area of the brain plays an essential role in the recognition of melodies, rhythms and tones, while the limbic system, including the amygdala and hippocampus, is central in managing the intense emotions that music can evoke, such as pleasure and nostalgia.
The 10 Emotional and Psychological Benefits of Art
Imagination Enhancement
Art stimulates the imagination, encouraging creative and innovative thinking.
Promotion of General Well-being
Interacting with art improves mental health and overall well-being.
Increased Emotional Awareness
Art helps to explore and understand one's emotions, promoting self-understanding and the development of emotional intelligence.
Development of Motor Skills
Artistic activities such as painting and sculpture improve motor coordination and manual skills.
Strengthening Social Bonds
Participating in art activities in groups promotes a sense of community and belonging.
Art and Chronic Pain
Art therapy can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression in cancer patients, improving quality of life (Bosman JT, Bood ZM, 2021).
Memory Benefits
It stimulates the brain areas linked to memory, making it useful for patients with Alzheimer's and other dementias.
Improving Self Esteem
Creating art, even if not professionally, provides a sense of accomplishment and increases self-efficacy.
Stress reduction and improved sleep quality
Art promotes relaxation through creative expression, decreasing cortisol levels and helping to calm the mind.
Problem solving and innovative solutions
Artistic creation integrates personal experiences, ideas and physical skills, activating the multimodal area of the brain (TPO) and the prefrontal cortex, involving the medial areas of the cerebral hemispheres and the limbic system. Art not only stimulates creativity, but is also essential for solving everyday problems, promoting the development of lateral thinking.
Art as therapy for the soul
Art therapy is a form of therapy that uses the transformative power of art to heal the soul and improve psychological well-being, allowing the expression of complex emotions and reducing stress and anxiety. Through creative expression, patients explore and understand their experiences and feelings, promoting healing and self-esteem. With the support of a therapist, art becomes a powerful tool for personal growth and emotional management.
The Role of Art in Managing Anxiety
Art plays a significant role in managing anxiety by providing a space to express and reflect on personal concerns. Studies indicate that artistic activities such as painting and sculpture can alleviate anxiety symptoms and improve psychological well-being (Stuckey and Nobel, 2010). Furthermore, research by ME Hauser et al. (2019) suggests that art therapy may be particularly effective in treating anxiety by providing a nonverbal means to explore and manage complex emotions.
If you want to start a course of psychotherapy, you can count on Serenis online psychotherapists, with over 10 years of experience in treating anxiety disorders. With the support of expert professionals, art can become a powerful means of personal transformation and management of emotional challenges.
All forms of art, whether music, painting or dance, stimulate the brain and should be integrated into therapeutic treatments, as research on the interaction between neurology and art demonstrates.
Sources:
Demarin V, Bedeković MR, Puretić MB, Pašić MB. Arts, Brain and Cognition. Psychiatr Danub. 2016 Dec;28(4):343-348. PMID: 27855424.
Hauser, M. E., Freeman, M. A., Sweeney, K. B., & Smith, T. (2019). Art therapy as a treatment for anxiety: A systematic review. Journal of Anxiety Therapy, 24(2), 117-130.
Stuckey, H. L., & Nobel, J. (2010). The connection between art, healing, and public health: A review of the medical literature. American Journal of Public Health, 100(2), 254-263.
Bosman JT, Bood ZM, Scherer-Rath M, Dörr H, Christophe N, Sprangers MAG, van Laarhoven HWM. The effects of art therapy on anxiety, depression, and quality of life in adults with cancer: a systematic literature review. Support Care Cancer. 2021 May;29(5):2289-2298. doi: 10.1007/s00520-020-05869-0. Epub 2020 Nov 13. PMID: 33188476; PMCID: PMC7981299.
Article published on 6 September 2024 - 13:14
