Recently, I was reminded of the power of art and creativity for our mental health. In the Senior Concerns Adult Day Program, we had an art therapist come to provide an activity. This activity found a way to connect our feelings with colors and shapes. It was such a beautiful way to see how we can connect with ourselves and use our creativity to improve our mood.
Art therapy is a practice where creative expression is used to support mental health and emotional well-being. It focuses on the process of the art, rather than the outcome. Research has shown that art therapy can reduce stress, lower heart rate, and promote a greater sense of relaxation.
To begin the activity, everyone was asked to choose a word that represented how they were feeling that day. They were then invited to identify a shape that represented that emotion, followed by a color they associated with it.
The art therapist provided a discussion on the emotional qualities associated with different colors. Blue was described as a calming and stable color, green as a restorative color, yellow as uplifting, and red and orange as energizing colors.
Blank canvases were soon filled with a variety of colors and shapes. Each person made something completely different. Some created pictures of flowers and recognizable environments, while others created abstract shapes and colors.
But one thing was consistent: everyone was engrossed in their art. They focused on what they were doing in the present moment and were reminded to enjoy the process and not worry about the final product.
It was a reminder that we all have creativity inside of us, and we do not need fancy tools or expensive classes. Even spending just ten minutes a day sketching, molding clay, or using watercolors can create a relaxing routine.
After the activity, I asked one participant how it made him feel. He smiled and said, “It feels really good, like I am free”.
I am reminded of a client I worked with years ago. He had just returned home after a hospital stay and was feeling very depressed. During our conversations, I learned that he had once loved creating art but had not painted in nearly 30 years due to the demands of daily life and his declining mood.
Together, we explored the idea of him returning to art. He began by creating a chalk sketch of a fruit bowl. That small step helped him reconnect with himself and express emotions that had been difficult to put into words. As he continued creating art, he noticed his mood improving and shared that, for the first time in a long while, he felt he was doing something just for himself.
Whether it means rediscovering a hobby you once loved or trying something entirely new, art has the potential to benefit everyone. Creative expression is not about artistic talent. It is about giving ourselves permission to slow down, reflect, and reconnect with our emotions. Sometimes, a blank canvas is all it takes to begin.
Martha Shapiro can be reached at Senior Concerns at 805-497-0189 or by email at mshapiro@seniorconcerns.org.
