A recent study, published in Art Therapy: Journal of the American Art Therapy Association, determined that engaging in artistic activities can reduce the level of stress hormone present in the body.  This is great news during the COVID-19 crisis, when stress levels are so high.

Even better news – You don’t have to be an artist, or even good at art, to benefit from the stress reducing qualities of art experiences.  And while children were not included in the study, findings showed that younger people experienced even greater stress reduction than older study participants. The author of the study believes that this is because younger people have less experience managing stress and have not yet developed an arsenal of coping mechanisms. Do you know who has even less experience managing stress than young adults? Children!  Engaging children in the arts could provide them with invaluable coping tools they will use throughout their lives.

Whether you are still working with children, staying at home with your family, or surrounded by other adults during this crisis, we hope this newsletter about the arts and stress reduction provides you with some ideas you can use in your daily life.

For the article What Happens When We Experience Stress?, CLICK HERE

For the article Which Activities are Included in the Arts?, CLICK HERE

For the article Benefits of Engaging in the Arts, CLICK HERE

For the article Creating Realistic Expectations, CLICK HERE