Is drawing good for your brain? Does it have any mental benefits?
I know I feel good when I’m drawing and in that focused, peaceful drawing space so there must be some kind of mental benefits….
Lets see what the science has to say.
Though most people associate drawing as a hobby, there are many advantages for the brain to be gained through it. Drawing has been shown to increase the number of cognitive abilities, including focus, creativity, and stress management.
What makes drawing so beneficial for your brain? Drawing can improve coordination, focus, and memory and reduce anxiety and depression. It can even delay or negate brain function decline due to old age.
There are many reasons to start drawing, whether you are an accomplished artist or just starting.
In this article, we will discuss eight benefits of drawing and how such a simple pastime of yours may positively affect the brain.
Is Drawing Good for Your Brain?
Many people may feel a calming effect or an increased mood when drawing and wonder, “is drawing good for your brain?” – It’s no surprise that research has shown that drawing has many benefits and can even strengthen your brain.
For me, drawing brings a sense of pure peace, often found only in activities that require a large amount of attention.
This singular focus may be described as a flow state or can find a feeling of intense focus or concentration in many different creative endeavors such as drawing, painting, sculpting, or playing an instrument.
So if you’re new to drawing or hesitant to start and may want to rush ahead and create a masterpiece with ease, know that the cliche of enjoying the journey is true also with drawing.
Drawing is good for your brain, and you will reap all of these benefits along the way.
What Part of the Brain Does Art Stimulate?
Have you ever wondered what part of the brain art stimulates?
The right side of the brain, the one responsible for our feelings and creativity, has long been the side of the brain most closely linked with artists and other creative types. In contrast, the left side is said to be in charge of analytical thinking.
Though true, art and creativity can stimulate different parts and sides of the brain. However, this depends on the art or work being done and the particular artist’s experience and perception.
But where does creativity come about?
The brain’s frontal cortex is often related to the reception and understanding of artworks because it is generally regarded as the core of the creative process. Its many functions include working memory and creative thoughts.
Does Drawing Strengthen Your Brain? – How Making Art Helps Your Brain
Yes, drawing helps strengthen several regions of the brain. Those parts are responsible for fine motor skills and visual-motor coordination, which are needed to perform our daily tasks.
Besides helping improve the abovementioned brain processes, creative activities like drawing and painting offer more general cognitive functions like memory and focus and provide a brief respite from daily stresses and promote relaxation.
Creativity and the capacity to solve problems interestingly are other areas where participation in art processes may be beneficial. It has been shown to promote emotions of satisfaction, proficiency, and contentment.
In sum, engaging in creative activities like producing art may be a great way to improve your mental and cognitive health while also being a fun experience.
Benefits of Drawing
Improves Coordination
The ability to draw may aid with hand-eye coordination and hand-brain coordination.
To draw, one must first watch their subject intently before attempting to recreate it by hand. For this to work, your brain and body must synchronize perfectly.
Improves Concentration
It takes concentration to draw well since you have to think about the lines or patterns you’re making, the layout of the picture, and the specifics you want to add. To do this, you must give your full mental attention to your work.
The process of drawing itself may be meditative since it requires you to focus on the task at hand rather than letting your thoughts wander. Concentration and the capacity to ignore distractions may be honed by immersing oneself entirely in one’s creative work.
Improves Memory
In a study by The Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology, the researchers asked participants to write down or draw a list of words.
The findings of the research suggest, on the whole, that drawing is better than writing in terms of enhancing memory.
Improvement of memory is another area in which art may help. An artist’s ability to draw is directly related to their capacity to recognize and interpret their subject. This method calls for recalling specifics about it, which may strengthen your memory.
Increases Alertness
When we draw, we are wholly immersed in what we’re doing, which keeps our thoughts active and alert.
Drawing has been shown to have stimulating and motivating effects on the brain, contributing to a raised state of alertness.
Increases Creativity
There are several ways in which drawing may enhance one’s creativity. It can help in expressing a person’s unique viewpoint and thoughts. Furthermore, it might ignite one’s creative juices, inspire the development of brilliant ideas, and solve problems.
In general, drawing may serve as a ground for developing creative ideas and acquiring abilities that one can apply to various aspects of life.
Reduces Anxiety
Making art has been shown to reduce tension and anxiety, and there have been some preliminary studies on art as a therapy.
An experimental study by Girija Kaimal, Kendra Ray, and Juan Muniz measured participants’ cortisol levels before and after 45 minutes of creating artwork.
According to the findings, engaging in creative activities led to a considerable reduction in levels of the stress hormone cortisol, and others considered the session to be calming and pleasant.
Improves Mood
Some people find relief in the arts during periods of emotional turmoil.
One further study by the American Psychological Association looked at the positive effects of drawing and whether it helps help people’s moods.
The participants were split into two (40 all in all) and given instructions to sketch to help them concentrate and or to help them express how they were feeling. They assessed the moods before and after sessions.
The research showed that the mood-boosting effects of drawing for distraction outweighed those of drawing for expression.
Can Lessen Physical Pain
Art therapy also helps deal with the mental and physical pain that comes from dealing with pain in different ways.
A study by The Arts of Psychotherapy used a chart review to determine the effects of art therapy on hospitalized patients. The study included 195 people requiring acute care.
The findings showed that, independent of age, disease, or gender, all patients experienced significant reductions in pain, depression, and anxiety after the therapy.
Is Drawing Good for Your Mental Health?
With all the benefits mentioned above, drawing is beneficial for mental health.
Self-expression through the medium of drawing has been shown to have therapeutic and positive effects on mental health and well-being.
Drawing as a meditation practice has been linked to improved mental health as well because of its ability to redirect one’s attention away from the source of one’s stress or pain and promote feelings of peace and relaxation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Drawing a Form of Intelligence?
Because it entails the employment of a wide range of cognitive skills and functions, drawing is often considered a form of intelligence.
The ability to concentrate, visualize, solve problems, think creatively, and use fine motor skills are all examples of these abilities. These mental abilities may be developed and enhanced with time and effort.
Can Drawing Increase Memory?
Yes, Drawing can increase memory.
When you draw, you’re using your visual perception, spatial abilities, and sometimes your speaking skills simultaneously. It may improve your memory by strengthening the connections between neurons.
Is Drawing Good for your Brain – Conclusion
Drawing is not only a cheap and easy way to improve your mental health, but it has other benefits as well.
When you draw, you access different parts of your brain that are responsible for motor skills, memory, creativity, and more. Plus, drawing can help relieve stress, improve communication skills, and boost your problem-solving abilities.
If you want to learn more about how drawing can benefit your mental health and overall well-being, schedule a discovery call with us today.
We would be happy to chat with you about how our program can help you achieve your goals.
Thanks for reading!
