Have you ever seen a bunch of crazy kids running and yelling during their crafting class? No! This is because crafting is interesting to them; it makes them concentrated, relaxed and amused simultaneously. But, crafting is not just for the kids! Many adults do it both as a hobby and as a job. Moreover, many adults have also found the importance of DIY projects in art therapy.
According to a study by one Ivy League college in the USA, DIY projects, art, and crafting have many mental health benefits. When people do them, they experience the same things as those children mentioned above; thus, they feel less stressed and have a better quality of life.
So, if you want to know the major benefits of DIY-ing and the importance of DIY projects in art therapy, keep on reading. Who knows - maybe you get inspired and try out art therapy yourself.
What Is Art Therapy
Before we talk about the importance of DIY projects in art therapy, let us first explain what art therapy is. In plain English, art therapy is used to treat various mental health disorders.
People have used art and craft to express themselves since the beginning of time. However, it wasn't until recently that doctors discovered how beneficial art and craft are to people in need of healing. They used DIY projects like sewing, doodling, sculpting, etc., to express their problems and cure them.
Art therapy is now used to cure stress, depression, anxiety, anger, PTSD, substance use disorder, eating disorders, aging-related issues, etc. Art therapy proved to be very beneficial in curing all of this.
The importance of DIY projects in art therapy can be immense.
Benefits of DIY-ing in Art Therapy
According to doctors and psychologists, DIY-ing just an hour a day can significantly reduce your stress levels. Moreover, doing the same can positively affect your overall mental health. It doesn't matter what you do (color, make a collage, work with clay, take photos, etc.), where you do it (home, hospital, shelter, community center, art studio, etc.), or how skilled you are, the importance od DIY projects in art therapy is incredible.
For instance, DIY-ing and art therapy have proven to be very important for people experiencing severe stress. By focusing on something other than their problems, many people managed to lower their stress levels. Moreover, different kids crafting methods, like finger painting, helped children (who were experiencing social difficulties at school, were victims of some traumatic event, or had many learning disabilities) express themselves, heal, and grow normally.
In addition, when it comes to adults, besides the previously mentioned stress, DYI-ing in art therapy helped them reduce fear, anxiety, and depression. One study also showed that art therapy had many emotional benefits for people with cancer and those with brain injury. Although very different, art therapy alleviated many emotional and mental difficulties in both cases.
And, we cannot but mention the importance of DIY in art therapy for addictions. According to experts from brightfuturestreatment.com, people who were treated for alcohol or drug abuse, for example, responded exceptionally well to arts and crafts.
Art therapy has helped many individuals over the last couple of years.
How to Get Started
If you like what you've read so far, you are probably wondering how to get started. It is pretty straightforward. All you have to do is start doing some DIY projects around your home. You can start with something easy like painting or challenge yourself with something like making a DIY concrete stool. What you do and how you do it don't matter - what matters is that you feel satisfied.
However, if you suffer from something more severe than stress, you should seek professional help. It would be best if you looked for a qualified art therapist with degrees in psychotherapy and art therapy.
Remember that going to this kind of specialist may not be covered by your health insurance. And, keep in mind that these kinds of creative sessions might be costly (depending on which therapist you choose). Moreover, be sure to know what to expect once you get there - art therapy is not just doing creative DIY projects; it is about dealing with your problem by talking about the past issues and future goals.
Your art therapist should be someone whom you can trust.
Things to Have in Mind
When it comes to DIY projects in art therapy, one this is for sure - you don't have to have any talents. You don't even have to know what DIY project to do or what kind of technique to start with. Your art therapist will be there to guide you. And, if you are doing this on your own, don't worry; find some art or craft you find interesting, get some tools, and start. Nothing has to be perfect. Just focus on what you are doing and try to block out the rest of the world.
Also, don't think of art therapy as an art class. Yes, you will be doing artsy things and DIY projects, but you will not be focusing on their perfection. Instead, you will try to express yourself or free yourself from something that bothers you.
Finally, even though we mentioned the importance of DIY projects in art therapy many times and talked about how beneficial it is, it is essential to note that this may not be for everybody. For instance, art therapy proved very bad for people who have schizophrenia. Thus, if you want something to help you relax after work and get rid of all that stress - art therapy will be great for you. But, if you have medical and mental problems, consult your doctor first!