Art Lowers Stress

If I say that art boosts motor skills and creativity, you’ll probably nod and agree. But did you know it can do much more? A deep dive into research—including the World Health Organization’s review of over 3,000 studies(1)—shows remarkable benefits for children and adults alike:

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   Stress Relief. Even a single art session can lower cortisol (the body’s stress hormone). Many report calm, focus, and relaxation after painting, drawing, or coloring(2).
   Application for Homeschoolers: Try 15 minutes of art before the toughest subject this week (rock carving kit before math, for example).
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   Focus and Attention. Art strengthens executive functions—concentration, planning, and self-control. Children with ADHD who colored mandalas for 10 weeks showed measurable gains in focus and schoolwork(3, 4).
   Application for Homeschoolers: Art is not a distraction from “real academics.” It supports them.
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   Academic Achievement. Students engaged in the arts tend to do better in reading, math, and science; high school participation is linked with stronger GPAs and graduation rates(1).
   Application for Homeschoolers: Counterintuitive but true—time in art can correlate with better academic outcomes.
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   Creative Problem-Solving. Unlike tasks with one “right” answer, art builds divergent thinking—approaching challenges flexibly and inventively(1).
   Application for Homeschoolers: Real life rarely has a single correct solution. Practice flexible thinking early and often.
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   Emotional Well-Being. Systematic reviews show art therapy reduces anxiety, depression, and specific fears in children. Regular art supports resilience and emotion regulation(5).
   Application for Homeschoolers: If a child is anxious—or if teaching a subject stresses you—do simple art alongside the lesson to lower stress for everyone.
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   Trauma Recovery. Meta-analyses find creative arts therapy significantly reduces post-traumatic stress symptoms and helps people process emotions safely(2).
   Application for Homeschoolers: For foster or trauma-impacted kids, even basic art skills can become lifelong coping strategies.

Bottom line: Art isn’t just fun—it’s powerful for body, brain, and heart. How will you feature art a little more this week?