Around the world, hearts are breaking. The current political and social climate globally is volatile. It seems that everywhere we look, destruction reigns. Hearing and seeing constant bad news is not only emotionally exhausting; it can also be heartbreaking.
Have the recent traumas happening around the world diminished your belief in the goodness of humanity? If so, there is a cure for your broken heart: art.
Art Therapy Soothes the Soul
Art can help heal someone’s wounded emotions. Art therapy was built on this premise. The American Art Therapy Association stated, “Art therapy, facilitated by a professional art therapist, effectively supports personal and relational treatment goals as well as community concerns. Art therapy is used to improve cognitive and sensorimotor functions, foster self-esteem and self-awareness, cultivate emotional resilience, promote insight, enhance social skills, reduce and resolve conflicts and distress, and advance societal and ecological change.”
Who Does Art Therapy Help?
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Art therapy is utilized by scores of organizations for the purpose of bringing wholeness to humanity. For example, Hearts Mend Hearts reported,
“After 26 people, including 20 children, were shot and killed at Sandy Hook Elementary in 2012, many mourners turned to art therapy as a means of healing. The process, which is essentially a free-form experience of drawing whatever comes to mind, has been shown to be especially helpful for children who lack verbal means by which to convey sorrow. Art therapy helped those who suffered from the Boston Marathon bombing.”
These mourners aren’t the only ones who have been positively impacted by art. Actor Jim Carey also said that art was instrumental in his healing from a bad breakup. “In the mini documentary from Signature Galleries, which sees him work on life-size art and miniature clay sculptures, he talks candidly about how he felt after breaking up with an ex six years ago, which suggests it was girlfriend of five years Jenny McCarthy who he split from in 2010,” wrote Mirror contributors.
There are many more stories of art bringing hope and healing to those who are suffering. Read about how art brought peace and wholeness to a cancer survivor in Oklahoma City.
Is Art Journaling for You?
The fact that art heals is recognized by some medical professionals. In fact, art therapy is now covered by many insurance companies. Those who don’t have the means to pursue art therapy may want to consider a practically free alternative: art journaling. A contributor the Adventures in Making blog said,
“These days, I turn to my art journal whenever I feel like I need to reconnect with my true self. Allowing my intuition to cut, paste, paint, draw, and write helps me to process my emotions and release them into the pages. When working in my art journal I try not to judge or worry about what my finished pages will look like. The focus for me has always been on the process, so instead, I draw my attention to color and shape, to my paint or scissors and let my intuition guide me.”
Learn how to start a healing art journal here.
Some people are still in shock mode after encountering the sad things that have happened around the world in the past few months. Others are ready to heal. This process can’t be forced. Those who want to pursue wholeness may find art to be an ally in the process of healing. After all, art has the ability to heal the broken heart.
Do you agree?
Read more Segmation blog posts about art and healing:
Art Therapy Treats more than the Heart
How Creating Art Helps Refugee Children
How the Color Green Balances Emotions
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