Creative therapy is a technique used in occupational therapy and consists of carrying out creative activities such as painting, embroidery and creative drawing. These crafts have had a proven positive effect on mental health, since a feeling of satisfaction is achieved after having completed a task that involved effort. In this process, endorphins and serotonin are released while reducing the secretion of cortisol, a hormone associated with stress.
In addition to this satisfaction, certain qualities such as patience, perseverance, attention and motivation are actively worked on. Coordination, spatial perception and fine motor skills are also exercised. These are some of the abilities that deteriorate faster when mental health is not optimal and are also affected by medication side effects.
When these activities are carried out in a group, the result depends on each party that collaborates. So camaraderie, interaction between people and creativity are reinforced.
Finally, another advantage that occupational therapy professionals highlight about these activities is the time they take up. Filling time and being entertained reduce hours spent on thoughts that harm health, as well as the feeling of not knowing what to do. This aspect is very important for patients admitted to a psychiatric hospital ward. The sum of these factors makes it beneficial to do crafts and other artistic activities for mental well-being.
The role of occupational therapy
Through activities like these, occupational therapy professionals are dedicated to promoting a healthy, balanced lifestyle, in addition to other rehabilitation interventions. The focus is on enhancing people's functional independence and quality of life through activities of daily living so that people are as functional as possible in their community.
The occupational therapist is also responsible for scheduling and adapting these creative activities according to the capabilities, interests and motivations of each patient. For these reasons, creative therapy is one of the main resources in non-pharmacological treatment for people with mental health problems, such as anxiety.
INFORMATION DOCUMENTED BY:
Victoria Herreros, occupational therapist, Magdalena Caldentey, occupational therapist, Cindy Frias, nursing coordinator, Anna Bastidas, nursing coordinator. Adult, Adolescent and Child Psychiatry and Psychology Unit, Clinical Institute of Neurosciences, Hospital Clínic Barcelona.
