Express Yourself: Learn the healing power of art, no skills required
Tap into innate creativity, unleash an inner artist…and heal body and soul. This fall, in a series of free community events, Dr. Uday Jani, an internist with a fellowship in integrated medicine, M.E. Edge, LCSW, experienced mental health professional, and Eileen Wilkinson, founder of WELLarts, discuss the transformational effect of art on the body’s healing processes. Attendees will be encouraged to explore journaling, collaging, coloring and other artistic activities.
“It’s the act of creating something that didn’t exist before, not about being a talented artist, that triggers healing,” says Jani. “We invite everyone to experience the benefits of expressing themselves artistically. There is no right or wrong way, no techniques to learn and no expertise required.”
Adds Wilkinson: “Arts are the great neutralizer, people open up when they allow themselves to put words or visuals on a page." Edge adds: "Talk therapy is helpful but I see groups really gel and connect when their art becomes the focus.”
Exactly why putting pen to paper, or ink to canvas promotes well-being is a subject increasingly studied by the scientific and medical communities. New neuropathways are opened in the brain, and the body’s physiology changes from one of stress to deep relaxation, from fear to creativity and inspiration, according to artashealing.org.
Jani cites a growing body of research surrounding art’s therapeutic properties, from music to journaling.
“Music therapy, for instance, has proven benefits in reducing pain among patients suffering from chronic illnesses, burn care, post-surgery, osteoarthritis, post-anesthesia care, open heart surgery recovery, coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, even neonates in intensive care,” he explains.
According to a 2012 study in Stress and Health, women with breast cancer in a mindfulness-based art therapy program reported reduced stress and anxiety; MRIs taken of the participants showed significant changes in the cerebral blood flow in regions corresponding to reward and the regulation of stress response. The study’s author noted the improvement in well-being is associated with improved immune function, quality of life and coping effectiveness in dealing with illness.
Mandala (from the Sanskrit word meaning circle) art, is an ancient art form now used effectively to help people achieve a state of balance and calm, and lessen depression, anxiety and stress, says Jani. In addition, preliminary research on color therapy points to potential relief of hand, elbow and lower back pain. Journaling, as used for more than two decades by Dr. James W. Pennebaker, a pioneer in using expressive writing as a route to healing, has a beneficial effect on the immune system, helping everyone from those dealing with a terminal illness to college students facing first-year transitions.
“We are just beginning to see the impact of the arts as an effective, alternative mode of healing,” says Jani. “The benefits are there for everyone, whether or not they have an artistic bent.”
Discover the healing arts at these fall events, free and open to the community
• Wednesday, Sept. 16, at 3 p.m. - Lewes Library
• Friday, Sept. 18, at 3 p.m. - Milton Library
• Wednesday, Sept. 23, at 2 p.m. - Dr. Jani’s office, 28312 Lewes-Georgetown Hwy, Milton
• Friday, Oct. 2, at 3 p.m. - Rehoboth Library
To register, call 302-684-0990
