Why making art is the new meditation

Soma Author

In this article, we discuss why and how making art is the new meditation and leading happy, healthy lives

Why making art is the new meditation

Meditation, simply put, is a method for improving health and well-being by quieting the mind and drawing focus away from negative thoughts and emotions. There are many benefits to meditation, including reducing stress, improving concentration, psychological well-being and increasing self-awareness (Araujo et. al., 2019, Sadhasivam et. al., 2020). Since stress and other mental health challenges can contribute to ill health, practising meditation contributes towards better physiological and psychological health.

Making art is the new meditation because it allows you to focus on the present moment and forget about your worries. When you're creating something, you can't be thinking about anything else. Therefore, many people find art to be therapeutic. It's a great way to relax and de-stress.

Plus, making art is a great way to express yourself. It's a way to communicate without using words. You can express your emotions and thoughts through colour, line, shape, and form. And while you paint to express your emotions, it becomes a positive way to introspect or process negative emotions.

Research shows that experience or lack of it has no bearing on gaining the benefits of making art (Kaimal et al. 2017). Anyone can reap the benefits of art on their health and well-being by taking part in regular art-based activities. So, if you're looking for a new way to relax and de-stress, or curious if art or painting holds potential to meditate then read on.

What is Meditation

Meditation is an ancient practice that has been used for centuries to build spiritual development and promote physical and mental well-being. It is a way of calming the mind and focusing on the present moment. Meditation has been shown to improve stress levels, anxiety, depression, and chronic pain (Goyal et. al. 2014). As a result, many people have turned to meditation to improve their health and overall well-being. Now before you say I can't meditate because I can't focus, let me suggest reading on as there is an option for those of us who can't sit still or focus long enough to meditate.

So, there are many different types of meditation - but the basic premise is to train the mind to focus on a single object or thought to achieve a state of mindfulness. This can be done through sitting or lying down in a comfortable position and focusing on your breath, a mantra, or an image. The goal is to clear your mind of all other thoughts and to simply be present in the moment.

But what should one do if you can't focus on one thought or object to meditate? Art might be the answer for those of you who find meditation hard due to being unable to sit still or focus. Recently, there has been a lot of interest in using art as a form of meditation because painting, drawing, and other creative activities can help to quiet the mind and allow you to focus on the present moment.

How artmaking is good for stress?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the benefits of art-making such as drawing and painting for stress relief may vary depending on the individual. However, some potential benefits of drawing and painting for stress relief include providing a creative outlet for emotions, helping to focus the mind on the present moment, and promoting relaxation.

Studies exploring relationship between creativity, brain function and art indicate increase in dopamine levels in patients with neurological issues when presented with new creative outlets (Zaidel, 2014). Low levels of dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter, are common in patients with anxiety, depression, and excessive stress. This suggests that for people with mental illnesses, such as chronic depression or anxiety, art therapy is a great option because it increases dopamine levels and makes them feel happier.

But the benefits of art can be gained by anyone who wants to practice self-care or manage mental health wellness. You could include regular sessions of creativity and artmaking in your life as a preventative to mental health or psychological challenges.

How Painting can promote well-being

The act of painting requires focus and concentration, which can help to quiet the mind and improve clarity of thought. Art making has been shown to reduce cortisol levels or stress hormones in healthy individuals (Kaimal, Ray and Muniz, 2016) suggesting that art based activities is an easy way to nourish wellbeing and practice self-care. A review of literature around the relationship between creating art and self-esteem indicated that that psychological well-being and mental health are closely associated with arts engagement (Franklin 1992 ). So, what does this mean?

Art can be used to help you relax and to focus on a certain object, so that your mind can stop thinking about all the other things that it usually does. This suggests that art can be used as an alternative to meditation. When you are focusing on art, your mind will be occupied with colours, shapes, and patterns. You won't have time to worry about bills, work deadlines, or what you're going to make for dinner. Instead, your mind will be diverted to the creative process resulting in less focus on negative emotions and reduction of stress hormones called cortisol.

There are many different forms of art and ways to use them to meditate. You can paint, draw, colour, doodle, or even just look at artwork. If you don't consider yourself an artist, don't worry!

Art is not about being perfect or having the most beautiful work of art in the world. Art is about expression and creativity. It doesn't matter if you're good at it or not; what matters is that you're enjoying the process.

Here's top 7 reasons how and why painting can be means of improving health and well-being:

• Meditative and Therapeutic Benefits: When we paint, we experience something referred by scientists as 'State of flow'. The flow concept was introduced by Csikszentmihalyi in 1975 (Peifer et. al., 2022). It refers to a state when we are so focused on what we are doing that everything else melts away even if the task involved is complex. When we are in a state of flow, time seems to stand still, and we are present in the moment. This experience is akin to the process of meditation as the mind is completely focused on art making devoid of worries or negative thoughts contributing to better physiological and psychological health.

• Better Self-Connection: For many of us, art can be an escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. It's a way to relax and release our fears and worries. Art can be anything that brings us joy and peace, whether it's painting, sculpture, music, or dance. It's a form of self-expression that allows us to tap into our creative side and find calm during chaos. When we create or appreciate art, we connect with our inner selves and the world around us in a deeper way. We are reminded of the beauty and possibilities that life has to offer.

• Discover new way of perceiving things: When we make art, we learn to let go of our preconceptions and expectations and simply be in the moment. We learn to take risks and find fulfillment in the process of discovery. Through making art, we can step outside of our comfort zones and explore new territory without fear of judgement or failure. We can become lost in the act of creation and emerge with a newfound sense of joy and satisfaction. In short, making art helps us to tap into our true potential and discover what it is that we are truly capable of and offers us valuable lessons for life.

• Artistic Self-Expression: Making art is also an opportunity for self-expression, allowing us to share parts of ourselves that we may not feel comfortable expressing through words alone. It can also be a way to connect with others, sharing our stories and building relationships. Art can help us communicate our deepest emotions, thoughts, and beliefs, as well as connect us with others who may share similar experiences or perspectives. It can also be used as a form of therapy to help us work through difficult emotions or experiences.

• Self-Reflection: Art can be a powerful tool of self-reflection. It can help us to understand and process our thoughts and feelings, and to find new ways of seeing and expressing ourselves. When we create or view art, we can step outside of our everyday lives and explore different aspects of ourselves. We can experiment with different mediums, styles, and subjects, and discover new ways of communicating our innermost thoughts and feelings. Art can also help us to see ourselves in a new light, and to develop a greater understanding of who we are.

• Self-Care: Creating art can also be a form of self-care, providing a much-needed outlet for stress relief and anxiety reduction. Studies show that art therapy, the practice of using art to heal, can effectively help people manage anxiety, depression and even pain. There are several ways to use art as a form of self-care. Some people may find that simply engaging in the creative process provides them with a sense of calm and relaxation. Others may find that certain types of art are particularly helpful in managing specific symptoms. Research conducted on older adults aged 55 years to 75 years demonstrated that those who struggle with anxiety may find that mandala colouring books help to reduce their stress levels (Koo, Chen and Yeh, 2020 ). Those who are dealing with depression may find that journaling or writing poetry helps to express their feelings and improve their mood.

No matter what type of art you choose to engage in, the important thing is that you allow yourself the time and space to explore your creativity. When you make art a priority, you send a powerful message to yourself that you are worth taking care of.

Mindfulness through Art

Mindfulness is a form of meditation that helps promote mental and emotional well-being.

Creating art is a mindful practice that asks us to slow down, be present, and engage all of our senses, connecting us to ourselves and others.

As discussed, making art can be a very meditative experience, since it requires you to focus on the present moment and be fully engaged in the creative process. Painting, in particular, is an excellent way to practice mindfulness, as it allows you to completely immerse yourself in the act of creation. Not only is painting a great way to relax and de-stress, but it can also be a wonderful tool for boosting creativity. When you paint mindfully, you can tap into your subconscious mind and access ideas and images that you may not be able to access when your mind is racing. This can lead to some very innovative and original artwork.

So, if you’re looking for a new way to meditate, consider picking up a brush and giving painting a try. You may just find that it’s the perfect gateway to promote health and well-being.

How to Start Painting as a Gateway to Well-being

Meditation has become mainstream. Now, making art is following the same trajectory. It's being called "the new meditation" because of its ability to help us focus, be in the moment and let go of our worries — even if just for a little while.

The purpose of meditative painting is to have fun, concentrate on the creative process, and appreciate being in the 'state of flow'. However, making art without being fixated on perfection or the outcome can be challenging. So, to be able to use painting or any art-making process as a meditative process there are a few things you should keep in mind.

1. Don't worry about whether your artwork is "good." The point is to have fun and enjoy the process.
2. Be fearless and experiment — use different mediums, colours and techniques.
3. Choose to allow mistakes to occur and viewing them as 'happy accidents'
4. Build an attitude of playful curiosity and stopping to consider "what if I did this" or "how about I try that”?
5. And finally, trust your instincts and intuition — if something feels right, go with it!

Meditative painting is a very effective way to boost creativity and overcome artistic blocks because it encourages you to paint while focusing on the creative process. Studies show that art making that revolves around the creative process improves focus, productivity, and well-being by allowing individuals to experience a feeling of flow. As Bass (2007, 155) explains,

“Making process art allows individuals to experience a feeling of flow which translates into more focus, greater productivity, and a heightened sense of well-being. The more clear and focused we are about our goals and unconscious personal desires, the closer we come to living happier, more authentic lives.”

Clearly, painting is not only a fun and easy way to meditate for those of us who can’t focus or sit still but also lead happier, fulfilled lives.

In conclusion, making art is not only a new way to meditate but also one of the easiest. Art is a powerful tool to silence the chaos of the mind, unwind from daily stresses, overcome feelings of anxiety, and help express emotions that you are unable to put into words. Regular sessions of art-making such as painting, drawing, and doodling can have powerful impact on psychological and physical health. All you must do is get some art supplies and just start painting. It might be a relaxing and refreshing way for you to live a healthier and happier life.

Bibliography:

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Categories: creative me-time, Wellbeing