The Science of Happiness cover image

The Science of Happiness

How Art Heals Us

May 8, 2025
Shabnam Piryaei, an award-winning writer, filmmaker, and teacher, discusses the unique healing power of art. She shares how creating visual art can ground us and foster emotional resilience during life's challenges. Shabnam highlights personal stories illustrating the therapeutic benefits of art-making, even in caregiving contexts. The conversation explores the joy of creative surrender, emphasizing connection and self-discovery through shared artistic experiences. Overall, it paints a vivid picture of art as a vital tool for emotional well-being.
23:31

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Engaging in artistic activities can significantly lower stress and enhance emotional processing, promoting mental well-being and personal growth.
  • Collaborative art-making fosters deeper connections among family members, creating shared experiences that strengthen relationships and nurture communication.

Deep dives

The Healing Power of Art

Creating art can serve as a powerful tool for emotional healing and mental well-being. Engaging in artistic activities like painting and drawing has been demonstrated to lower stress hormones, such as cortisol, while simultaneously enhancing cognitive functions related to language and storytelling. For instance, participants in artmaking activities often find themselves experiencing reduced anxiety, improved mood, and clearer emotional processing as a result. Furthermore, these creative endeavors allow individuals to express feelings and ideas that may be difficult to articulate verbally, making art a vital resource for personal growth and healing.

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