Coloring, painting, drawing, gluing or sculpting …. Taking time to create would be effective to reach a level of relaxation, according to the results ofa study published in the medical journal Art Therapy. Indeed, art therapy would reduce the levels of cortisol (the hormone of stress), therefore stress. The higher the cortisol level, the greater the stress on the individual.
Researchers from Drexel University (USA) conducted an experiment to analyze the effects of art therapy on the level of stress.
39 adults, aged 18 to 59, participated in 45 minutes of artistic creation. Cortisol levels were taken before and after the duration of the experiment.
The researchers found that for 75% of the participants, the cortisol level dropped after 45 minutes of artistic creation. If 25% of volunteers saw this rate increase, the researchers recall that “a certain amount of cortisol is essential for functioning. For example, cortisol levels vary throughout the day. ”“ Levels are higher in the morning because it gives us a boost of energy, ”says Dr. Girija Kaimal, assistant professor of arts therapy. This mechanism could be linked to the excitement generated by the activity “.
Extend analyzes on the effects of art on stress
In view of the results obtained on this study, the researchers plan to expand their research to explore whether “creative self-expression in a therapeutic environment can help reduce stress.” In this study, other biomarkers such as alpha-amylase and oxytocin will also be measured to give a more complete picture of the effects of creation on the stress.
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