Using Art to Boost Individual, Family & Community Wellness

All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players.

William Shakespeare (1564 - 1616)

The arts have been recognized by many as being meaningful & relevant tools to understanding life; and are now being recognized as authoritative driving forces to positive health outcomes. Ever since the beginning of time, human beings have desired relevant & meaningful activities in their daily encounters (Frankl, 1966). Do you find that you do an activity easier when you understand the meaning or relevance of it?

Art is powerful. Have you ever wondered how the many forms of the arts out there & public health efforts can come together to yield positive health outcomes in efforts to prolong an enhanced quality of life for you, your family or your community? Research shows that engaging in artistic activities, either as a plain observer of the art created by others, or as an originator of art, can boost an individual’s mood and feelings, and can actually have a significant effect on the body; manifested by superior health outcomes and improved physiological wellbeing (Stuckey & Nobel, 2010)

Where is the evidence you may ask? It is out there. I urge you to research the health benefits of being involved in the arts for you and your children. Stuckey & Nobel (2010) reviewed and compiled research studies in art and healing in an effort to understand the effect of art on the wellbeing of communities and its individuals.  In their findings, 4 primary artistic modalities developed as contributors to health and wellness: (1) music engagement, (2) visual arts therapy, (3) movement-based creative expression, and (4) expressive writing. These 4 creative processes were found to have the potential to be intentionally utilized to foster health in people.

Lets explore them one-by-one:

1.      Music Engagement: Research findings support that music tranquilities the brain, reduces anxiety, and affects the immune system responses through actions on the amygdala and hypothalamus.  Music is the most easily accessible and most researched medium of art. There are studies out there that show music being utilized to control pain in cancer patients (Aldridge, 1993) and as a stress-reduction tool in coronary care units after a heart attack (Guzetta, 1999). Can you think of ways you or your loved ones can engage in music to improve your health today? Feel free to comment and share below.

2.      Visual Arts: Art is not only pleasing to the visual senses but it can also be used by individuals to express experiences that may be too difficult to put into words. Think of how visual art can be used at the bedside to explain what is going on in a patient’s body by a physician. Isn’t that powerful to imagine? Patients as well can also use visual art to explore the meaning of their disease process to them and how it impacts their past, present, and future life.  Also, I think of the limitless power of visual art during loss and grief. Studies have shown how something as simple as molding and visualizing clay can be such a powerful mode of expression. Through the somatic level tactile involvement of molding and visualizing the art form, one can facilitate verbal communication and cathartic releases of unconscious thought processes and imageries that may fail to be expressed through any spoken word (Stuckey & Nobel, 2010).I am curious to hear your responses and comments on how have you utilized visual arts to enhance your wellbeing or the wellbeing of others. Comment below.

3.      Movement-Based Creative Expression: When I think of movement-based creative expressions, I think of the power of dance and the many forms of it! However, there are many other examples of movement-based creative expressions out there. Movement-based creative expressions are nonverbal, primarily physical forms of expression that serve as psychotherapeutic or healing tools to the human body (Stuckey & Nobel, 2010). Can you think of examples of movement-based creative expressions? Through the movement of the mind and body in a creative way, stress and anxiety can be relieved, and other health benefits can be achieved. Let me share an example; Greenspan et al. (2007) conducted a study on this phenomenon studying the effect of tai chi exercises on a selected older group of women. The findings suggested that the women who were participating in tai chi perceived their health status as much improved after a noted time period. What movement-based creative expressions would you enjoy? There are many examples out there. How many times a week do you or your loved ones participate in a movement-based creative expression?

4.      Expressive Writing: Studies show that writing about individual traumatic experiences demonstrated statistically significant improvements in various measures of physical health, reduced visits to the doctor, and resulted in better immunity (Stuckey & Nobel, 2010). Journaling and emotional writing can effect physiological health, immune status, stress hormones and blood pressure. Do you find it peaceful to write about anything or certain things? When I think of this, I can’t help but note the many ways that a social media status can serve as an outlet for expressive writing and an art form. How about creative writing? I would love to hear your thoughts on this as a healthcare provider, an individual seeking health and wellness or as a community member!

From a public health perspective, I recommend and promote engagement in the arts for all in one form or another. I perceive the arts as having a significant effect on the national burden of diseases affecting all age groups within a community setting. Think about this for example: commitment to engaging in artistic activities can have the potential to reduce stress and depression in your life. Using the arts as a healing tool and a therapy is actually quite common practice today. Evidence out there shows art is being utilized to combat depression, chronic stress (Stuckey & Nobel, 2010) and many other ailments. The Arts can serve as a vehicle for alleviating the burden of chronic disease a community.

References

Aldridge D. (1993). Music therapy research 1: a review of the medical research literature within a general context of music therapy research. Arts Psychotherapy 20(1),11–35

Frankl V. (1966) Man's Search for Meaning: An introduction to logotherapy New York, NY: Washington Square Press

Greenspan, A. I., Wolf, S.O., Kelley, M.E., & O'Grady M. (2007)  Tai chi and perceived health status in older adults who are transitionally frail: a randomized controlled trial. Physical Therapy, 87 (5),525–535

Guzzetta C. E. (1989). Effects of relaxation and music therapy on patients in a coronary care unit with presumptive acute myocardial infarction. Heart Lung, 18(6),609–616 

Stuckey, H.L. & Nobel, J. (2010). The connection between art, healing, and public health: A review of current literature. American Journal of  Public Health. 100(2): 254–263. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2008.156497PMCID: PMC2804629