With so much going on in the world right now because of COVID-19, it can feel overwhelming, like you’re just not sure what to do next. There’s a lot of information and misinformation out there about this pandemic. Experts are not entirely sure how long this will continue, but as you navigate your new normal and try to establish new routines in your day, following directives from medical professionals, grocery shopping, social distancing, going to work, and a host of other things, please consider taking a few minutes to make some art. Why? Here are three things you need to know about art today.
Art can help you process your emotions.
According to this article over at NPR, art can do a myriad of things, including help you process your emotions. Maybe you or someone you know is grieving the loss of a loved one to this virus. Perhaps anxiety has you or your family in a stranglehold as you try to make sense of all the instructions coming from authorities. Maybe you’re a healthcare professional teetering on the edge of burnout from the massive number of people you are helping or treating every single day and you’re working extra-long days.
Whatever emotions you may be experiencing during this tumultuous and uncertain time, art can help you work through them. If you’re not quite sure where to begin, there are a growing number of artists and art educators making and sharing drawing videos for the extensive number of children staying home due to school closures and social distancing. But you don’t have to be a kid to grab a pen and paper and follow along! Art is for everyone.
Art can help lower stress levels.
This article from the University of California in San Francisco states, “The idea of art as medicine dates back to antiquity, but recently the concept is drawing increasing interest from the medical and science communities.” According to this study creating art has been shown to reduce the stress hormone cortisol. The same study also cited, “Your brain’s reward pathways become active during art-making activities like doodling.” We could all use a little reduction in stress, maybe more now than ever. And if something as simple as doodling on a napkin or scrap of paper can activate reward pathways in your brain, why not give it a try? Perhaps you’re so stressed out right now you don’t even know what to say to your spouse or to pray to God. Maybe art can be the simple tool you need to reduce your stress and calm the noise, so you can find the words.
Art can help you feel connected.
Depending on where you are in the world right now, in order to “flatten the curve” of this highly contagious virus, many places have “shelter in place” orders, curfews for citizens, and other travel restrictions. People are told to practice “social distancing” as another protective measure to reduce the risk of spreading this virus.
With all of this physical space between us, and most socialization happening over various apps like Zoom, FaceTime, and Skype, it’s easy to quickly feel disconnected from each other. Art can help. Or maybe you’re an introverted person and having your family or children home at all times has left you feeling disconnected from yourself because you haven’t had a chance to recharge. Art can help with that too!
“Creativity in and of itself is important for remaining healthy, remaining connected to yourself and connected to the world,” says Christianne Strang, a professor of neuroscience at the University of Alabama Birmingham and the former president of the American Art Therapy Association.
If you’d like to draw along with me, click the link to my YouTube channel for drawing videos! All you need is a sheet of paper and something to draw with. No previous experience necessary. No fancy supplies needed. You’re invited to draw along with me or any of the other art educators or artists creating drawing videos.
May the simple act of sketching help bring clarity and calm to our hearts and minds today. May art be a common thread that helps pull us through this time and bring a bit of peace into our day, helping us process our emotions, reduce stress, and help us feel more connected.
Art is a wonderful way we can all get through this together. Click here to go to my YouTube channel of drawing videos, or click the image below to play the first drawing video from my channel.