4 Scientific Reasons to Make Art, Painting by Numbers [Study]
Since the human race exists on our planet, art is made, we humans have a deep connection with art. Art is as valuable to our culture as it is to us on an individual emotional and intellectual level. For us, making art just for doing is reason enough to do it.
Research has shown that our minds are built to appreciate art and create it, no matter how skilled we are at it.
Art, in all its multiple forms, has many benefits that are supported by scientific research. Here are some of them:
Stress And Anxiety:
The Art Therapy magazine concluded in a study that producing art for 45 minutes is enough to reduce the level of cortisol, the stress hormone.
Another study found that making art was also effective in reducing the anxiety levels of first-year college students. Only 30 minutes of painting were enough to reduce the anxiety of those who were preparing for the final exams.
Art allows us to steady ourselves and take a break from everyday stressors, which is why it can be so helpful in relieving stress.
Number painting offers everything you need to get started on your first adventure (or not) in the art world, in addition to being self-guided paintings, our kits come with all the essential materials to get you started.
Create Neural Connections:
A 2014 study found that creating visual art is able to increase our brain's ability to make neural connections.
This process is known as the default mode network and is active when we are daydreaming, relaxing, or making plans for the future.
Past studies suggest that when a piece of art affects us emotionally, those feelings occur because of the default mode network activity.
This means that art creates deep intrinsic connections with humans and can create peace “between the external world and our inner representation of the self.”
Making Art Can Help Us Overcome Sadness:
Creating art is a therapeutic way of distracting ourselves from sadness.
In a laboratory experiment, participants were shown a heartbreaking documentary to create sad feelings. They were then asked to make art related to the film, make unrelated art, or sit quietly.
The group that was making unrelated art effectively distracted themselves from the unhappy feelings compared to those sitting in sadness or making related art.
Sketching Improves Focus:
Mindless sketching, or doodling, is proved to have many cognitive benefits as well.
According to The Atlantic, it can help us pay more attention when listening to something we find boring and remember it later. Moreover, it keeps us focused on the task at hand and prevents idle thoughts.
Another study published in Applied Cognitive Psychology concluded that participants were able to recall 29% more information if they were doodling than those that weren’t.
As evidenced above, making art can benefit us in more ways than one. Artistic pursuits can help improve our moods and enhance our brain function
