{This column is in commemoration of Carifesta which first took place in Guyana in 1972.}
One of the regrets of my life is that I don’t have more artistic talent. Tell me to draw something and you’ll get stick figures. Compel me to sing and rain might start falling. I love the arts though- whether it’s live music, paintings, dance, etc- there is something about art that soothes and calms the soul. (That’s not to say however that art cannot or should not be provocative or shocking- that is also appreciated for engaging the intellect and senses in another way.) Art has long been a part of human society- remember those prehistoric cave paintings? Aside from just being a form of self-expression however, art also has significant positive effects on human health and wellbeing.
Art- specifically musical engagement, visual art therapy, movement-based creative expression, and expressive writing- has been shown to have significant therapeutic effects in people suffering from a variety of illnesses such as heart disease, cancer, HIV, chronic pain, depression, grief, and aging. Art aided healing, reduced stress, and increased wellness, as well as sped up individual’s recovery from surgery, interpersonal violence, and other trauma. Engaging with art was also shown to help relieve some of the burden that caregivers and healthcare professionals can experience.
People exposed to art therapy needed less medication, healed faster, and were discharged from hospital earlier than others. Even just passively listening to music reduced stress hormone levels in persons with cardiovascular disease. Movement-based therapy improved the cognitive functioning of
