heART by Greta Apostoli
Art has been around for thousands of years! There are various forms of art: Dancing, writing, painting, drawing, singing, theatre, and countless more. But have you wondered what impact art has on the human physiological systems? Art is one of many vehicles for healing and reducing symptoms of illness. The arts affect the mind, body, and soul.
Drawing has a profound impact on healing an individual’s spirit. Patients from a study reported having “greater love and compassion and a sense of connectedness to themselves, their bodies, and to what is beyond ourselves.”3 Patients who have been hospitalized feel disconnected from themselves because their disease becomes their new identity. By giving them an outlet, patients can express themselves and reclaim their identity. Drawing allows them to connect with others and shorten their stay in the hospital. Art has the capacity to increase an individual’s quality of life positively.
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