The Surprising Mental Health Benefits of Drawing: How Doodling Can Boost Your Mood
Drawing is a ubiquitous activity that most of us engage in at some point in our lives. Whether you’re scribbling absent-mindedly during a long phone call or doodling idly in class, drawing is a simple way to pass the time.
But did you know that drawing can actually have significant mental health benefits? In recent years, researchers have discovered that doodling can help to reduce stress, improve focus, and even boost creativity.
Here are just a few of the ways that picking up a pen and paper can improve your mental health:
Drawing Reduces Stress and Promotes Relaxation
Many of us lead busy lives that are filled with stressors, from long work hours to financial pressures to family responsibilities. But research has shown that taking just a few minutes to draw can help to alleviate stress and promote relaxation.
One study published in the Journal of the American Art Therapy Association found that art-making activities, including drawing, helped to reduce cortisol levels in study participants. This hormone is associated with stress, so lower cortisol levels can indicate a decrease in stress levels.
Drawing can also promote mindfulness, a state of mental focus and awareness that has been shown to reduce anxiety and depression. By focusing on the present moment as you draw, you can quiet your mind and reduce racing thoughts.
Drawing Improves Focus and Concentration
Many of us struggle with distractions in our daily lives, from social media notifications to noisy work environments. However, research has shown that engaging in creative activities like drawing can help boost focus and concentration.
One study published in the Journal of Creative Behavior found that drawing helped to improve both divergent thinking (the ability to generate multiple ideas) and convergent thinking (the ability to choose the best idea). This suggests that drawing can help to improve overall cognitive function and problem-solving skills.
Drawing Boosts Creativity and Self-Expression
Drawing is a form of self-expression, and it can help you tap into your inner creativity. By allowing yourself to doodle freely without worrying about the end result, you can unleash your creativity and generate new ideas.
In addition, drawing can help to enhance your visual thinking skills, making it easier to express ideas in creative and innovative ways.
Conclusion
Drawing may seem like a simple and insignificant activity, but research has shown that it can have significant mental health benefits. From reducing stress to improving focus to boosting creativity, picking up a pen and paper can be a powerful tool for improving your overall well-being.
So the next time you find yourself with a few spare minutes, why not pick up a pen and doodle? You may be surprised at how much it can improve your mood and mental health.
