We all have had our fair share of down days. You know the drill- you wake up on the wrong side of the bed, your coffee spilled on your shoes, and top it all off with a stressful day ahead. Rather than wallowing in your misery, turn that frown upside down with some good old fashion art appreciation.
We all have our down days. Sometimes, no matter how hard we try to stay positive, we just can’t seem to shake the funk. Art may be the answer if you’re feeling low and need a quick pick-me-up. Studies have shown that art can provide a number of benefits for our mental health, including reducing stress, anxiety, and depression.
Here are ten ways you can use art to lift your spirits.
1. Take a Virtual Art Tour
If you can’t make it to a museum in person, take a virtual art tour online! Many museums offer these services on their websites; some even have YouTube channels. This is a great way to fix your art without leaving your house.
2. Make Some Art Yourself
One of the best ways to appreciate art is to make some yourself! It doesn’t matter if you consider yourself an artist or not. Making art is a great way to express yourself and lift your spirits. Whether you like painting, drawing, sculpting, or any other art type, just try it and see how it makes you feel.
3. Get Outside
Nature is one of the greatest artists of all time, so get outside and enjoy some fresh air! Take a walk in the park or go for a hike in the woods and appreciate all the beauty around you. Listen to the birds singing, look at the trees blowing in the wind, and smell the flowers blooming. Let nature inspire you and lift your spirits.
4. Visit Your Local Art Gallery
Support your local artists by visiting a gallery near you! It’s always free to walk around and look at the artwork; you might even find something you want to take home with you. Who knows, maybe you’ll even be inspired to start showing your own work someday!
5. Go to a Museum
There are museums for everything these days, so there’s sure to be one that interests you no matter what you’re into! Art museums are a great choice, but consider checking out history museums, science museums, zoos, and aquariums. There’s so much to learn and explore out there, so take advantage of it!
6. Attend an Art Festival
Art festivals are typically held outdoors and feature artists from all over showcasing different types of art, including paintings, sculpture, photography, jewelry, pottery, woodworking, and more! These events are usually free or very low cost to attend, and they’re a great way to spend a day with family or friends while also getting your fill of art.
7. Go people watching
Watching public places is full of interesting people doing interesting things! So next time you’re feeling blue, find a busy place like a park or shopping mall and people-watch for a while. You never know what you’ll see or who you’ll meet that will brighten up your day.
8. Read about Art
If you can’t physically experience art at the moment, reading about it is the next best thing! There are countless books written about every artist imaginable and specific individual works of art. immerse yourself in someone else’s creativity by reading about their exploration of the artistic world around them.
9. Look at Old Photographs
Old photographs are amazing because they give us insight into another time period that we would otherwise never be able to experience ourselves. They also provide context for current events by helping us understand how things used to be, which can be very enlightening (and occasionally humorous). Spend some time looking at old photographs next time you need a pick-me-up!
10. Watch Art Documentaries
Art documentaries are fascinating because they often explore an artist’s work and life story, which can be very inspirational. If you ever need proof that hardships don’t last forever, just watch an art documentary! There are tons available online as well as on TV, so finding one should be easy.
Final Thoughts!
When life gets tough, turn to art! It’s always there for us when we need it, whether we’re looking for inspiration, laughter, or just a new perspective. So go ahead, dive into the world of art headfirst and see how it can change your outlook on life! You might just be surprised at how much good it can do.
