Looking after your brain is as important as looking after your body. Luckily painting is a fun activity that sharpens your mind.
Here are 5 interesting things that happen to your brain when you paint.
Gifted People use both sides of their brain
Most people know that the left side of the brain helps with more logical activities, whereas the right side is for artistic endeavours. People normally state whether they are left or right brained. However, no matter your natural skill set, you will benefit from using most sides of your brain. Think about it, you wouldn’t go to the gym and just exercise one side of your body.
Studies have shown that people that have been labelled as ‘Gifted’ tend to practice activities that use both sides of their brain. If you feel you excel more in left-brained activities, this is even more reason to whip out the paint brush and start painting. (American Psychology Society, 2004)
Painting strengthens memory
Studies have found that people that frequently practice painting and other creative activities experience less memory loss illnesses as they age. In a study, people that described themselves as artists have fewer cognitive problems as they grew older. (Mayo Clinic)
Painting builds problem solving skills
The problem solving someone undertakes whilst creating a painting develops critical thinking. The fact that a painting never has a straightforward plan, and a person has to change and react to the way things are going practices these skills.
Painting relives stress
There’s no denying that getting involved in painting almost put the mind into a mediative state, naturally calming you. But research has actually shown through MRI scans increased connectivity which demonstrates ‘psychological resilience’. This indicates a person can handle difficult situations better and maintain a more positive state. (PLOS One, 2014)
Painting helps you grow Emotionally
There is a reason that there’s been a huge increase in art therapy, as visual art helps a person channel their emotions. Painting helps you increase your emotional intelligence thus understanding their feelings more.
A study in Romania asked 150 students to partake in drawing in their extra-curricular activities. They were then asked to paint portraits and were asked to express emotions. The portrait visually explained every emotion very obviously. The children who participated in the study became more cooperative and more active, any negative reactions were noticeably more controlled (David Publisher, 2018)
