We’ve all heard than an apple a day can keep the doctor away, but can an art project a day keep your stress levels at bay?
New research published in Art Therapy: Journal of the American Art Therapy Association thinks it might. The study, “Reduction of Cortisol Levels and Participants’ Responses Following Art Making, tracked cortisol levels (those stress-causing hormones) before and after engaging in creative activities.
And what did they find?
No matter how much experience (or talent) you may have, spending 45 minutes doing something creative can have significant, positive impact on your well-being (i.e., lower your stress/cortisol levels).
Which is good news all around, especially for those of us whose output from creative expression may be a little more…abstract.
Read further analysis of the study on Huffington Post or dig in to the research yourself at the Journal of the American Art Therapy Association.