Art therapy has long been used to treat all kinds of mental health issues, in people of all ages. It has been shown to be especially beneficial for seniors. Let’s take a look at how artistic hobbies can benefit all seniors.
Mental Health Benefits of Art for Seniors
Art is great for stress relief
We all experience some degree of stress from time to time. It’s a normal part of life. However, if we don’t have a way to shake off our daily stresses, it can start to cause problems. Art is a fantastic outlet for stress release and it’s something that pretty much everyone can participate in. When you make time to paint, draw, or create any type of art, it’s incredibly calming and fun!
Art encourages creative thinking
Creativity comes from a different part of the brain than we use on a daily basis. When you work on an art project, creative thinking makes your brain work in new ways and actually releases different chemicals than the parts of your brain that control logic. The creative process encourages you to think differently in everyday life too. You might find that you’re able to solve problems easier when you regularly exercise that part of your brain.
Art stimulates the brain
Your brain is like a muscle. It needs to be exercised regularly if you’re going to keep it in good shape. So, how does art help with this? Many types of art require you to use different parts of the brain all at once. When you work with your hands, your brain is not only coordinating your movements, but it’s also lighting up the creative centre of your brain at the same time. It also improves focus as you work on the details. Activities such as painting, sculpting, scrapbooking, photography, knitting, and sewing can achieve that balance of both technical and creative skills by using all parts of your brain at once.
Art boosts self-esteem
With any project, there’s always a great sense of accomplishment when you finally finish it. It’s the same with art. After an art session, you’ll be able to see the progress you’ve made. As you continue to refine your skills, you’ll also notice how much you’ve improved as you go along. This feeling of accomplishment can do wonders for your self-esteem and your mood in general.
Art improves quality of life
When you include art in your life as a regular practice, chances are you’ll be happier in general. But there is one group in particular that really sees the emotional benefits of art. For seniors who suffer from dementia, Alzheimer’s, or other serious mental health conditions, art can provide a sense of calm that they otherwise wouldn’t be able to achieve. For those who can’t express themselves as well through verbal communication, art provides an outlet that allows them to share their emotions in a positive way. Many patients who regularly engage in art therapy experience improvements in their symptoms and social behaviour.
How Bria Communities Supports Art
Art is everywhere at Bria Communities! We encourage all our residents to express themselves through art and offer a number of ways for them to learn new skills and also teach each other. There are a number of groups that are run by the residents themselves, which is a great way to build friendships and experience the fantastic emotional benefits of art.
We also offer workshops and group classes taught by experts from the local community. They are often focused around a specific project and allows everyone to learn a new skill and perhaps pick up a brand new hobby. There is a huge variety of classes and programs, including things like writing contests, flower arranging, seasonal wreath making, watercolour, splatter painting, knitting, and more. We provide a fun and friendly environment for residents to learn in encourage all everyone to join in on programs and clubs that interest them.
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