As a high school student, your life is often a whirlwind of classes, homework, social pressures, and future planning. In this, art is a surprisingly powerful escape; an opportunity to express yourself and unwind. Whether you’re creating the art or simply appreciating it, you might be surprised by the many ways it can positively impact your life.
High school is full of checkboxes: get good grades, join clubs, make friends. In this rush, it can be difficult to find the ways to express your honest thoughts and feelings. Art could offer that outlet. Whether you like painting, drawing, writing, photography, or even music, it allows you to express feelings and ideas in a way that you just can’t seem to find the right words for. It is a way to understand yourself better, and it’s a chance for you to develop your own voice.
Pressure over exams, homework, and expectations from friends and peers piles up, until you feel overwhelmed. Art is one great means of relieving stress. The creative activity takes your mind off the daily pressure and involves you in something positive. Research shows that the creation of art reduces anxiety and enhances relaxation. Whether you’re drawing in a notebook during free periods or learning new techniques in a class, art offers a way to unwind and clear your mind.
Art is not just the creation of something pretty, but is also a critical thinking and problem-solving process. You constantly make decisions while drawing, sculpting, or designing: What colors should I use? How can I balance the shapes? How can I express this better? These kinds of decisions improve your ability to think analytically, a skill that will serve you well not only in making art but in all aspects of life.
Finally, making art can also be a powerful way to build self-esteem. Completing an artwork, no matter how simple, can give you a sense of accomplishment. There is something special about working hard for something, and then having a tangible result. Even better; share it with others. This could be anything between showing one friend a poem you wrote to posting it to social media. Either way, art connects people in a way not many other things can.
Creating is what people were made to do, so save space and time for it every once in a while.