In Honor Whiteman’s article relating to tasks that can reduce stress, she speaks of art as a task that can be taken on to reduce ones stressful life and a great thing about it is that the skill level does not affect the enjoyment of the task. She speaks about the hormone cortisol being released while not participating in art activities and this hormone can help reduce ones inability to not be stressed.
Key Takeaways:
- Published in the journal Art Therapy, the study found that just 45 minutes of art creation – such as making clay models or drawing – reduced levels of the hormone cortisol.
- Cortisol is often referred to as the “stress hormone.” Produced in the adrenal glands, situated above the kidneys, cortisol levels increase in response to stress. Therefore, the higher a person’s cortisol levels, the more stressed they are.
- The researchers identified a reduction in cortisol levels among 75 percent of the participants, indicating a reduction in stress. This finding remained even after accounting for participants’ experience of art-making.
“Published in the journal Art Therapy, the study found that just 45 minutes of art creation – such as making clay models or drawing – reduced levels of the hormone cortisol.”
