You’re busy with work and life demands, so fitting into an art class is hard. But nurturing your creative side is essential to your well-being — not to mention lots of fun. Artistic and creative expression offers many benefits. Here we go!
It Relieves Stress
Your life is busy, but it’s important to remember to take
some time for yourself. A recent study found that 45 minutes of creative
activity significantly lessens stress in the body, regardless of artistic
experience or talent.
It exercises a new part of your brain.
Is the creative part of your brain underfed? If you work in
a highly analytical environment, then an art class is an excellent way to give
your brain’s right side a rest and stretch the left side.
It prepares kids for the future.
Art enhances fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination,
problem-solving skills, lateral thinking, complex analysis and critical
thinking skills. And art education increases creativity and open-mindedness. Creativity
is cited by business leaders as the top leadership competency for the future.
You’ll look at the world in new ways.
Art makes you look at things anew – even mundane ordinary
aspects of the world. Communicating with color, shape, and form awakens your
imagination.
Get UNSTUCK.
Our inner voices make harsh critics that can stop us before
we even begin. Art teaches risk taking, learning from one’s mistakes, and being
open to other possibilities. The camaraderie and support of fellow classmates
and an encouraging instructor can be the push that you need to just start
making!
Challenge yourself.
Learn something new! Whether it’s a new technique, a new
medium, or if art in general is something you’ve never done before – learning
new things strengthens us and gives us more confidence.
Decorate your house/apartment.
You’ll get so much joy from creating something yourself and
having it be a unique addition to your home. And when someone compliments you
on the art, you can tell people YOU made it!
Meet new people.
Taking a class together helps you learn new things about old
friends and gives you something new to talk about when you go out. And you’ll
meet cool new people you otherwise may have never known. Art reaches across
racial stereotypes, religious barriers, and socio-economical levels and
prejudices. Seeing other culture’s creative expression allows everyone to be
more connected and less isolated.
Rekindle your passion.
Jealous of what kids made in summer camp and you want to
make something, too? Nowadays, you’ve become too busy to keep old hobbies;
however, indulging in an old passion could be the perfect remedy for refreshing
your spirit.