Can Art Therapy Help Anxiety? How Expressing Anxiety Through Art Can Bring Relief

Read Time: 6 Minutes ———————————————————————

Anxiety is something most of us experience at some point. Whether it’s the stress of daily responsibilities, big life changes, or underlying fears, anxiety can feel overwhelming. But what if the best way to work through it wasn’t just talking—but creating? That’s where art therapy comes in!

How Art Therapy Helps Anxiety

Art therapy is a powerful tool for emotional expression, especially when words don’t feel like enough. Through creative exercises, art therapy provides a safe space to explore emotions, reframe negative thoughts, and regulate the nervous system. Research shows that engaging in artistic expression can lower cortisol levels (the stress hormone) and increase dopamine (the feel-good neurotransmitter). (Source)

Ways to Express Anxiety Through Art

Here are a few simple art exercises that can help process and reduce anxiety:

1. Worry Scribbles ✏️

• Grab a pen and paper and just scribble out your anxious energy. This is an intuitive way to externalize stress and regain control over overwhelming thoughts.

2. Torn Paper Collage ✂️

• Tearing paper can be a soothing, repetitive action. Create a collage that represents how you feel, using colors and textures that resonate with your emotions.

3. Body Mapping 🖍️

• Draw an outline of your body and color in areas where you feel anxiety. This visualization can help increase body awareness and make stress feel more tangible (and therefore more manageable).

4. Safe Space Drawing 🎨

• Create an image of a place that feels calming to you. Whether real or imagined, this visual representation can serve as a mental retreat in times of stress.

Art Therapy vs. Just Making Art

Not all art-making is art therapy. While independent creativity is great for mental health, working with a trained art therapist provides deeper insight, guided interventions, and a structured space for healing. Art therapists help clients process emotions, recognize patterns, and build coping strategies tailored to their individual needs.

Looking to process your anxiety? Let’s book an Art Therapy session! Book Here!

Want to learn more about Men’s Initiatives happening in Calgary? Check out The My Friend Dave Project to see how creative expression is transforming lives.

Key Takeaways:

✅ Art therapy helps reduce anxiety by providing an expressive outlet.
✅ Simple exercises like scribbling, collage, and body mapping can be effective tools for self-regulation.
✅ Working with an art therapist can offer deeper insight and structured support.

#Hashtags:
#ArtTherapy #AnxietyRelief #MentalHealthMatters #CreativeHealing #MenAndMentalHealth #TherapeuticArt #MyFriendDave