Creative Art: Connection to Health and Well-Being

Abstract

This paper explores the association between creativity and health. We examined the literature to investigate if participating in creative arts such as dance and movement, music, visual art therapy, and creative writing has a beneficial effect on health and well-being. Recently, there has been an increased interest in studying how participatory and receptive arts can enhance wellness. Increasingly new research shows a correlation between creativity, improved feelings of well-being, and other positive health outcomes. Studies in this area indicate that engaging in creative arts brings about psychosocial, physiological, and behavioural responses that may help to decrease loneliness, depression, pain, and many other health-related issues. We reviewed and analyzed how creative arts can create channels for expressing emotions and improve physical, mental, and spiritual health. In this review, we define and discuss: 1) Creative Art Activities and Health; 2) Receptive and Participatory Engagement: Well-Being and Social Connectedness; 3) Health and Well-being in Later Stages of Life; 4) Art therapy and Children; 5) Creativity and Well-Being during COVID-19; 6) Specific Art Therapies and Their Beneficial Effects. We anticipate this review could underpin further research in health promotion. We also aim to encourage partnerships between the fields of health and creative arts to develop strategies to further their collaboration.