At Aston Gardens at Pelican Marsh, we hold arts and crafts classes under our Celebrations Activities and Events. The reason why we advocate for art therapy is that it is a proven healing method used in professional medical settings. Art therapy is essentially all about using art to help people cope with stress. The process of creating and exploring art allows patients the opportunity to express and better manage their emotions and feelings. To find out the health and social benefits of art therapyyou’re your loved ones, continue reading.
Improve Cognition
Art therapy has been a common palliative-care method for patients who have Alzheimer’s, dementia, or other memory-related illnesses. This is due to increasing scientific research that art therapy can strengthen brain function. Exploring colors and shapes, as well as visualizing different perspectives all contribute to the stimulation of the mind, thus keeping the brain active. A mind that is constantly up and running slows down mental decline.
Boost Physical and Motor Skills
Certain types of art, such as drawing and painting require hand-eye coordination, thus enhancing motor function over time. Such movements can also trigger the senses and allow participants to form better neural connections. What’s more, with the use of arms and hands, muscle coordination and blood flow will be improved, widening the body’s range of movement. In turn, this brings about a whole lot of benefits, including reducing chronic pain, lessening inflammation, and boosting immune health.
Relieve Stress
One of the main reasons why people turn to art therapy is to relieve stress. Art therapy is all about providing a safe and non-judgemental space for participants to express their feelings. As there is no critiquing, these creative activities are incredibly therapeutic. Over time, participants will feel more relaxed and have less internal emotional turmoil. Levels of happiness and self-esteem will also increase.
Promote Socialization
In our independent living community, art therapy classes occur in a social setting. This provides an opportunity for residents to get together and form closer connections. Loneliness is sadly one of the most prevalent issues, so art therapy is a method to foster bonding. During classes, participants can share their artwork and offer comments, though all remarks should be non-critical.
Encourage Self-Expression
Art therapy provides a creative outlet for participants to communicate their inner thoughts and feelings. If your loved one has lost the ability to speak or write well, art therapy is a great form of expression. Through visualizing, drawing, and painting, these activities help participants to connect themselves with the world and others around them, leading to spiritual and emotional growth.
Why Choose Aston Gardens at Pelican Marsh?
Our independent living community in Naples, Florida, is all about providing an all-inclusive lifestyle for our residents. Through our Celebrations Activities and Events, residents get to pick and choose which activities to participate in, from arts and crafts to fitness and wellness programs. Our team of professionals is always on-site to ensure safety and offer necessary care to improve residents’ well-being. To discover more about our lifestyle programs, reach out to us by calling 239.215.3356 today.
