The Healing Power of Art: How Creativity Supports Emotional Wellbeing
Imagine a moment when you felt completely lost in a creative activity — painting, drawing, or even doodling on the margins of a notebook. That moment of flow is more than just enjoyable; it’s deeply healing.
In an increasingly stressful world, many people turn to meditation, exercise, or therapy to support their mental health. But one often-overlooked tool is creativity — specifically, making art.
This article will explore why art is therapeutic, the science behind its effects on the brain, and how anyone (regardless of artistic skill) can use creativity for emotional wellbeing.
Why Art is Therapeutic
Art is a powerful way to express emotions, especially those difficult to put into words. Creative expression helps people process grief, anxiety, and other challenging emotions.
A Personal Experience
In high school, I went on a school excursion to the National Gallery of Victoria. At the time, I was feeling lonely, struggling with friendships and family. As I aimlessly walked through the halls, lagging behind my chattering classmates, an artwork commanded my attention.
It was consuming in its blackness and simultaneously vibrant. The oil paint looked like sculpted movement, thick and expressive — it felt alive. For some, it might have been nightmarish, but for me, it was like someone had laid out my chaotic thoughts and emotions for my personal viewing.
Painting (1977), Peter Booth
“Painting” (1977) by Peter Booth had struck me, and I’ve always kept its mark. It surprised me how an image could be both ghastly and alluring — and yet, it made me feel better about myself. That moment triggered my call to art.
Later, as I immersed myself in my own creative process, I experienced a similar sense of relief and clarity. That’s when I truly understood how art could offer healing.
The Science Behind Art and Mental Wellbeing
Art class at high school and later at university became an unbeknownst refuge. It became a time for me to zone out and forget the world. I felt safe and mostly I felt like me. Getting lost in the moment, when engaging in art, can lead to a deep, focused immersion, also known as flow state. Psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi’s research on flow and happiness shows that losing oneself in creativity reduces stress and increases fulfilment.
Beyond emotional release, art anchors us in the present moment. Creative activities engage all the senses, helping people become more present and grounded — similar to mindfulness techniques used in meditation. Some people can struggle with the quiet and stillness of meditation, maybe because of lack of time or being a little impatient. Creating art is an active process, it can be done anytime and anywhere, making it easily accessible.
During the pandemic, while I was fortunate to work, anxiety gripped me in a way that I had never experienced before. I didn’t understand it or know how to handle it. I shut down talking about how I felt for fear of appearing ungrateful and believing my emotions were simply not valid.
There were tiny moments where I would doodle in the margins of my notebooks. I understand now, that these little drawings turned out to be repeating motifs that expressed how I felt. Unconsciously, I reverted to using art therapeutically.
In their book Your Brain on Art, Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross explore how engaging with the arts enhances brain function through neuroplasticity, reduces stress by lowering cortisol levels, and boosts mood by triggering the release of feel-good neurotransmitters like dopamine and endorphins. It also highlights the role of creative expression in improving emotional resilience and overall mental well-being. Regular artistic engagement can be a powerful tool for mental wellness, offering both immediate relief and long-term emotional balance.
I believe creativity is an innate instrument for healing and flourishing within us all. Even 45 minutes of creative expression can help you feel calmer, lighter, and more connected to yourself.
How to Incorporate Art into Your Life for Emotional Wellbeing
🎨 Visit an Art Gallery
Take time to truly observe art. Ask yourself:
Do I like this? Why or why not?
How does this make me feel — calm, entertained, sad, angry, in awe?
✍️ Start Small & Let Go of Perfection
Many people think they need to be “good” at art to benefit from it. But the process matters more than the outcome.
Try doodle journaling — draw random patterns or shapes for daily stress relief.
Use adult colouring books — repetitive, meditative colouring can calm the mind.
✏️ Creative Prompts to Try
If you don’t know where to start, try these:
🔹 Draw your emotions — What colour, shape, or image represents how you feel today?🔹 Visualise a safe space — Create an image of a place where you feel calm and at ease.🔹 Collage your aspirations — Cut and paste images (physically or digitally) that represent your goals and dreams.
Final Thoughts
Art is a profound, accessible tool for emotional healing and self-discovery. You don’t need formal training — just a willingness to explore and express without judgment.
✨ Try setting aside even five minutes a day for a small creative ritual and see how it affects your mood.
What’s one creative practice that helps you feel calm? Share in the comments or tag me in your next creative moment!