藝術(shù)創(chuàng)作對(duì)你的健康有好處
Whether it's woodworking, sewing or sculpting teeny cupcakes out of bright purple clay, making art is good for your mind and body.
無論是木工、縫紉還是用亮紫色的粘土制作小紙杯蛋糕,藝術(shù)對(duì)你的身心都有好處。
The act of creation can reduce stress and anxiety and improve your mood, says Girija Kaimal, a professor at Drexel University and a leading researcher in art therapy. And flexing our creative side can give us a stronger sense of agency — the ability to solve problems by imagining possible solutions.
德雷克塞爾大學(xué)教授、藝術(shù)療法領(lǐng)域的主要研究人員吉里賈·凱馬爾說,創(chuàng)作的行為可以減輕壓力和焦慮,改善情緒。發(fā)揮我們創(chuàng)造性的一面可以給我們一種更強(qiáng)的能動(dòng)性——通過想象可能的解決方案來解決問題的能力。
Making art can also feel pretty awesome, she says. Engaging in any act of visual expression activates the reward pathway in your brain, "which is perceived as a pleasurable experience."
她說,創(chuàng)作藝術(shù)品也會(huì)讓人感覺非常棒。參與任何視覺表達(dá)的行為都會(huì)激活你大腦中的獎(jiǎng)勵(lì)通路,“這被認(rèn)為是一種愉快的經(jīng)歷。”
Artists say they often feel those positive vibes when they work. Trinidad Escobar, a Filipino American graphic novelist and poet based in Oakland, Calif., says that drawing "feels like a superpower." And Liana Finck, a cartoonist for The New Yorker, says sharing her art with an audience is "the most cathartic thing in the world."
藝術(shù)家們說,他們?cè)诠ぷ鲿r(shí)經(jīng)常能感受到這些積極的氛圍。特立尼達(dá)·埃斯科巴是一位居住在加州奧克蘭的菲裔美國人,他是一名平面小說家和詩人。他說,畫畫“感覺像一種極大的力量”?!都~約客》的漫畫家利亞娜·芬克說,與觀眾分享她的作品是“世界上最讓人暢快的事情”。
But you don't have to be a full-time artist to get in on those health benefits, says Kaimal. All you need to do is just make art. And the more you do it, the better. Here are six things you need to know to kick-start your creative art habit.
但凱馬爾說,你不必成為全職藝術(shù)家才能享受這些健康福利。你所需要做的就是創(chuàng)造藝術(shù)。你做得越多越好。這里有六件事你需要知道,以啟動(dòng)你的創(chuàng)意藝術(shù)習(xí)慣。
1.You don't need to be an artist with a capital "A"
你不需要成為一個(gè)極具天賦的藝術(shù)家
We tend to think that only people who are very skilled at art can call themselves artists, but really, anyone can be an artist, says Kaimal.
我們傾向于認(rèn)為只有那些非常擅長藝術(shù)的人才能稱自己為藝術(shù)家,但實(shí)際上,任何人都可以成為藝術(shù)家,凱馬爾說。
"Everyone is capable of creative expression," she says. In fact, her own research has shown that there are no differences in health outcomes between those who identify as experienced artists and those who don't. So that means that no matter your skill level, you'll be able to feel all the good things that come with making art.
“每個(gè)人都有創(chuàng)造性表達(dá)的能力,”她說。事實(shí)上,她自己的研究表明,那些認(rèn)為自己是有經(jīng)驗(yàn)的藝術(shù)家和那些不認(rèn)為自己是有經(jīng)驗(yàn)的藝術(shù)家的人在健康狀況上沒有區(qū)別。這就意味著不管你的技術(shù)水平如何,你都能感受到藝術(shù)創(chuàng)作的美好。
2.Figure out your mode of creative expression
找出你的創(chuàng)意表達(dá)模式
Start with what you enjoy — maybe something you've done before, maybe something you loved as a kid. But keep an open mind.
從你喜歡的事情開始——也許是你以前做過的事情,也許是你小時(shí)候喜歡的事情。但要保持開放的心態(tài)。
3.Focus on the making, and let go of expectations
專注于創(chuàng)造,放棄期望
Once you have your art materials, here comes the fun part. Let yourself get lost in the process and just play. Because it's the physical act of making art, says Kaimal, that induces those feelings of stress relief and positive energy — not what you make or how you make it.
一旦你有了藝術(shù)材料,接下來就是有趣的部分。讓自己迷失在這個(gè)過程中,盡情地玩耍。因?yàn)檫@是藝術(shù)創(chuàng)作的身體行為,凱馬爾說,它會(huì)帶來壓力的緩解和正能量的感覺,而不是你做了什么或者你是如何做的。
4.Think about making art like any healthy habit, such as eating well or exercising
把藝術(shù)當(dāng)成任何健康的習(xí)慣來對(duì)待,比如吃好或鍛煉
Just as you make time to work, exercise and hang out with family and friends, you should make time for your artistic endeavors, says Strang. "Creativity in and of itself is important for remaining healthy — remaining connected to yourself and remaining connected to the world," she says.
斯特朗說,就像你有時(shí)間工作、鍛煉、和家人朋友出去玩一樣,你也應(yīng)該為自己的藝術(shù)事業(yè)騰出時(shí)間。“創(chuàng)造力本身對(duì)于保持健康很重要——保持與自己的聯(lián)系,保持與世界的聯(lián)系,”她說。
5.Ride those waves of emotion
駕馭情緒的波動(dòng)
The more you're able to make art a regular habit, the more you're likely to get this great reward.
你越能讓藝術(shù)成為一種固定的習(xí)慣,你就越有可能得到這個(gè)巨大的獎(jiǎng)勵(lì)”。
6.Get yourself in the mood
讓自己進(jìn)入狀態(tài)
Some days, you won't feel like making art. And that's OK, says Finck. As the author of several graphic novels, most recently Excuse Me: Cartoons, Complaints, and Notes to Self, she's used to juggling multiple projects.
有些時(shí)候,你不會(huì)想要?jiǎng)?chuàng)作藝術(shù)。芬克說,這沒關(guān)系。作為幾部漫畫小說的作者,最近的作品是《對(duì)不起:漫畫》、《抱怨》和《給自己的便條》,她已經(jīng)習(xí)慣了同時(shí)處理多個(gè)項(xiàng)目。
"I get a lot of writer's block," she says. "It feels like stage fright when I sit down with a blank page."
她說:“我經(jīng)常遇到寫作障礙。”“當(dāng)我坐下來面對(duì)一張白紙的時(shí)候,感覺就像怯場(chǎng)一樣。”
To trick herself into drawing, Finck tells herself to think "that I'm just doodling," she says. "Then it flows freely."
為了欺騙自己去畫畫,芬克告訴自己去想“我只是在涂鴉,”她說。“然后就可以自由發(fā)揮了。”