CHAPTER 23. BENEFITS OF INDULGING IN CREATING ART
- Madhukar Dama
- Feb 17
- 3 min read
from our upcoming book Our Secret Book of Benefits
Consumption is a natural inbuilt characteristic of every human (like all living organisms).
Consumption increases automatically when availability of the goods increases. Consumption becomes mindless as stress increases. Because consumption leads to a temporary feeling of relief, stress automatically improves consumption of everything.
Over the years, I found that availability of materials and stress automatically increases in everyone’s life. This happens due to increased mindless commitments with age. At the same time, parallelly, we find and master different ways of consumption. However, consumption does’t reduce stress – consumption just provides a temporary relief from the stress.
We discovered that, when we shift our focus from consumption to creation (art) – everything changes. Consumption makes us sick. Whereas, creation of art makes us healthy.
Art encompasses a vast and diverse range of creative expressions. Here's a breakdown of some major types:
Visual Arts: Painting, Drawing, Sculpture, Photography, Printmaking, Digital Art, Architecture, Ceramics, Textiles & Glassblowing.
Performing Arts: Music, Theater, Dance, Film
Literary Arts: Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction, Drama
Other Types of Art: Conceptual Art, Performance Art, Street Art, Body Art, Culinary Arts
This list is not exhaustive, as art is constantly evolving and new forms are constantly emerging. I hope this gives you a good overview of the many types of art that exist!
We chose gardening, writing, blogging, raising birds and pets, sewing clothes, DIY projects, slow cooking, alternative learning, sharing knowledge, off-grid living, minimalism, philosophizing etc as a creative expression of ourselves.
Creating art offered a wealth of personal benefits for us:
Stress Reduction: Engaging in art is incredibly therapeutic. The act of creation helps to quieten the mind, reduce anxiety, and alleviate stress.
Improved Mood: Art-making triggers the release of endorphins, natural mood boosters that promote feelings of happiness and well-being.
Increased Self-Esteem: Completing a creative project, no matter how small, boosts self-confidence and provides a sense of accomplishment.
Enhanced Cognitive Function: Art engages various areas of the brain, improving cognitive skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and memory.
Self-Expression and Emotional Release: Art provides a powerful outlet for self-expression. It allows us to explore our emotions, process experiences, and communicate our inner world in a unique and meaningful way.
Increased Mindfulness: The act of creating art often requires focused attention, promoting mindfulness and helping to quiet the mind from distractions.
Improved Fine Motor Skills: Many forms of art, such as painting, drawing, and sculpting, require the use of fine motor skills, which improve dexterity and coordination.
Connection to Others: Sharing art with others fosters a sense of community and connection. Engaging in art groups or workshops provides opportunities for social interaction and creative collaboration.
Remember that the benefits of creating art are unique to each individual. The key is to find an art form that you enjoy and to embrace the creative process.
Gardening is an extremely artistic hobby. In addition, gardening connects us with nature and gives us the best possible, rich and safe food to nourish our body and mind!
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