Inspire Your Heart With Art Day: Why the Arts are Important
Today is Inspire Your Heart With Art Day. It is a day to ponder how the arts affect your heart and well-being. Then actually do something artistic – even if it’s just a walk in an art museum, listening to a form of music that calms and inspires you, or watching the ballet or artistic figure skating.
I would encourage you, though, to think about some form of art that you can apply to your life that you actually participate in, too. While viewing great art can release dopamine, doing some form of art is actually really, really good for the brain, releases tension, and much, much more. It can be as simple as coloring in an adult coloring book, taking an art class, doing some creative writing (such as writing poems or journaling), or even hiring a therapist who specializes in music therapy or art therapy.
Why Art?
According to Be Brain Fit, The Mental Health Benefits of Art Are For Everyone, everyone is born with an innate desire to express themselves. Drawing, sculpting, painting, playing an instrument, performance dancing, creative writing, and such are all ways of expressing ourselves. And by expressing ourselves we relieve tension and stress, we build the brain, we connect with our inner self and “work out” things that are inside of us. It also is great for building math skills, building creativity, learning to think outside the box, providing a sense of accomplishment, discipline, self-esteem, and more.
According to Resources to Recover, “the particular benefits of artistic expression go much further than relaxation and enjoyment. Studies suggest that art therapy can be very valuable in treating issues such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and even some phobias. It is a great way to express your emotions without words, process complex feelings and find relief.”
Harvard Women’s Health Watch states, “Creative activities can relieve stress, aid communication, and help arrest cognitive decline.” And Medical News Today states, “Drawing, painting, or molding objects from clay has been scientifically proven to help people to deal with different kinds of trauma. In a comprehensive article on The Connection Between Art, Healing, and Public Health, Heather L. Stuckey and Jeremy Nobel say that art helps people express experiences that are too difficult to put into words, such as a diagnosis of cancer.’ A number of studies have also found that writing — expressive writing, in particular, which requires participants to narrate an event and explain how it affected them — can help people to overcome trauma and manage negative emotions.”
And I loved this blog by James Clean, “Make More Art: The Health Benefits of Creativity.” He gives some compelling reasons why we should create art and types that benefit us. It’s a short read.
Music
My experience with Music
After a few lessons, I taught myself to play the organ beginning at age nine. It had been purchased for my oldest brother who then decided that he wanted to play electric guitar and then the drums. My parents then had my next older brother take lessons. but he struggled with it and gave up. By the time they got to me, there was only money enough for a few months of lessons. I was the one who WANTED to play. It stirred my soul. It brought peace to the chaos in my heart, mind, and emotions.
A few years later we discovered a pizza parlor with a live piano and banjo player who performed on many nights of the week and some lunchtimes. And the best part: it was a sing-along. We could ALL participate. Once I saw what that piano player could do, I wanted a piano. So at 12 years old, I got a job caring for an elderly disabled woman. I worked a few weekends that year, but the next summer the family wanted me for the entire summer. I earned enough that summer to buy a used piano, music and pay for another few months of lessons.
Playing piano was my way to ease the stress of growing up in a very dysfunctional and abusive home. This was my way of talking to God, too. Until I damaged my hands I continued to play the piano for hours a day to work out the stresses that life threw at me and talk to God. It brought me peace and joy. It brought order to the chaos of this thing we call “life.”
Music as Therapy
While I used music as therapy on my own, there are thousands of specially trained Music Therapists around the world who work with children and adults. When I worked at a music conservatory, they had a music therapy department. Sometimes, it was paid for by insurance, often it was not. Parents of autistic children especially knew the importance and saw the benefits of music therapy and were willing to pay the cost in order to benefit their child. On the blog, Brain HQ, it states, “Simply put, we use music to make your life better. Whether you need help socially, cognitively, physically, emotionally, or developmentally, music can help you get better…and music therapists are well-trained on how to do that.”
Music and Math
Earlier I mentioned that music helps with math. Music is mathematical. Well, at least good music is. Bach and Mozart are well known for the mathematical complexities of their compositions. As a musician and an accountant, I can tell you that when it is mathematical it flows. When it is not, I cringe. According to the article “Why Are So Many Mathematicians Also Musician?” by David H. Bailey and Jonathan M. Borwein, many mathematicians also play an instrument and many composers see the “formulas” in their work. I have always believed that. As a self-taught pianist and a book learner, I bought a college level music theory book early on and read about chords and chord progressions. They talked about thirds and fifths. Music is written in a mathematical way – 3:4, 4:4, 4:8, etc. Even though they never said it was mathematical, I could see it right away.
Music and Emotions
Music, like other forms of the arts, evoke emotions – good or bad. Even those who say it doesn’t will then often say they like music on in the background to calm them or help them concentrate or to help spur them on to get housework or chores done. Because I sense the mathematical rhythms more than some, I also am more keenly aware of how music affects my emotions. When it flows, when it speaks to me, I feel peace, I feel calm or appropriately energized. But when it’s not mathematical I feel uneasy. When there is an overbeat, my heart pounds. I don’t like it because I have learned that it will drive me to fear or anger. Do you ever wonder why so many in certain genres are known for drugs, illicit sex, violence, and getting in trouble with the law? The connection isn’t just the words to the songs, it is the overbeat, the heavy beat, which stirs these heavy dark emotions.
Music and the Mind
Years ago I read an article about music and how it affects the mind by Gary Lamb. On his website, he writes, “Compelling brain research concludes music has the power to reduce stress, enhance cognitive functioning, and improve productivity and creativity. The human brain is an amazing instrument that can be tuned to perform optimally with the right kind of music.”
He eventually came out with a series of CDs that they were able to scientifically prove encouraged certain areas of the brain to respond correctly. I left a link to his site below. There are also many, many YouTube videos that focus on different areas of the brain. Some are more for mind-altering rather than mind enhancement. Just be discerning in what you choose for you and your family.
Music and Memory
My first experience with music and memory was when we went to visit my Great-Aunt Pink in the nursing home. It’s weird how someone with dementia may not know you one minute and be lucid the next. One time when she was in a particularly bad time she didn’t know even family, but wheel her into the great room and play some music and she was singing all the words. Then other memories would flood back, too. That is scientifically proven now and music is a part of most or all dementia center programs. Even without dementia, one song can flood our brains with memories. Some so powerful we can remember the scents, exactly where we were, what we were feeling at the time, etc.
Learning New Things as An Adult
While we know that music builds math skills, confidence, discipline, and helps with stress, learning skills, and more in children, it is also VERY beneficial for adults. As adults, our lives are so busy that we create solid routines so we can fly on autopilot. This helps us get more done in less time. But autopilot doesn’t build new connections in the brain. It doesn’t supply everything the brain needs to stay healthy. I’m hearing even 20-somethings now on a regular basis say things that you only used to hear 50 or 60-somethings say in that past. Things like, “I can’t remember where I put my keys.” Or, “I can’t remember what I had for breakfast this morning – or even if I had breakfast.” Learning music or anything new as an adult helps the brain stay healthy. Creative Arts add other factors as well.
In Conclusion
I have only touched the surface. I don’t want to write a book – and you didn’t sign up to read one! Once I get researching, I go all out and learn so much that I want to share with you. The bottom line is, do something artistic on a regular basis. Try something new. If you don’t like it, move on. Try something else. Find something that is a little hard but you enjoy and have fun “perfecting your art.” Meanwhile, if you have a family member with dementia or Alzheimers, I encourage you to download some of their old favorite songs (or play them on an instrument) so the music can bring back memories.
Have a great day. If you’re experiencing the cold from this polar vortex, be safe. Stay home if you can. I shopped Tuesday afternoon and haven’t been out my door since – and don’t plan to leave my house until noonish on Friday when the temps should be in the double digits on the positive side! I thank and appreciate the businesses that have decided to lock their doors and let their employees stay home in this.
Links:
https://bebrainfit.com/benefits-art/
Creativity and Recovery: The Mental Health Benefits of Art Therapy https://www.rtor.org/2018/07/10/benefits-of-art-therapy/
https://www.health.harvard.edu/mental-health/the-healing-power-of-art
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320947.php
https://jamesclear.com/make-more-art
https://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/9814796/amp
https://www.garylamb.com/music_for_the_mind.html
Top 12 Brain-Based Reasons Why Music as Therapy Works, https://blog.brainhq.com/2010/04/22/top-12-brain-based-reasons-why-music-as-therapy-works/
Music Therapy for Health and Wellness, Psychology Today, (note the reference: “Music may be used with guided imagery to produce altered states of consciousness …” Personally, I don’t want an “altered state of consciousness.) https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/natural-standard/201306/music-therapy-health-and-wellness
11 Reasons Music Is Good For You https://www.theodysseyonline.com/11-reasons-music-good-for-you
BENEFITS OF LEARNING AND PLAYING MUSIC FOR ADULTS https://www.nammfoundation.org/articles/2014-06-01/benefits-learning-and-playing-music-adults?gclid=CjwKCAiAs8XiBRAGEiwAFyQ-er4d8Bc1ZmhmRAiLqWP1FYZdKqFYUV-ASpX–Efi-Pmv7YljoPRMLxoCwm0QAvD_BwE
https://www.lifehack.org/317747/scientists-find-15-amazing-benefits-listening-music
Creativity and Recovery: The Mental Health Benefits of Art Therapy https://www.rtor.org/2018/07/10/benefits-of-art-therapy/
https://www.health.harvard.edu/mental-health/the-healing-power-of-art
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320947.php
https://jamesclear.com/make-more-art
https://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/9814796/amp
https://www.garylamb.com/music_for_the_mind.html
Top 12 Brain-Based Reasons Why Music as Therapy Works, https://blog.brainhq.com/2010/04/22/top-12-brain-based-reasons-why-music-as-therapy-works/
Music Therapy for Health and Wellness, Psychology Today, (note the reference: “Music may be used with guided imagery to produce altered states of consciousness …” Personally, I don’t want an “altered state of consciousness.) https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/natural-standard/201306/music-therapy-health-and-wellness
11 Reasons Music Is Good For You https://www.theodysseyonline.com/11-reasons-music-good-for-you
BENEFITS OF LEARNING AND PLAYING MUSIC FOR ADULTS https://www.nammfoundation.org/articles/2014-06-01/benefits-learning-and-playing-music-adults?gclid=CjwKCAiAs8XiBRAGEiwAFyQ-er4d8Bc1ZmhmRAiLqWP1FYZdKqFYUV-ASpX–Efi-Pmv7YljoPRMLxoCwm0QAvD_BwE
https://www.lifehack.org/317747/scientists-find-15-amazing-benefits-listening-music
