How Art Helps with Anxiety (Even If You’re Not an Artist)

Hannah Church
Jan 28
2 min read

Updated: Jan 30

Anxiety doesn’t always respond to logic. Sometimes the mind needs a different language, one that doesn’t rely on words. This is where art can become a powerful mental health tool, even if you don’t consider yourself creative or artistic.

Using art for anxiety isn’t about talent or technique. It’s about expression, grounding, and giving emotions a place to move instead of staying stuck in your body.

Why Art Can Help Reduce Anxiety

When anxiety is high, the nervous system is often overstimulated. Creative activities can help by:

Slowing breathing and heart rate
Shifting focus away from racing thoughts
Activating the nervous system
Allowing emotions to be expressed safely

Art creates a pause, one that feels gentler than forcing yourself to “calm down.”

You Don’t Have to Be an Artist

One of the biggest misconceptions about art and mental health is that you need skill. You don’t.

Art for anxiety can look like:

Scribbling with no plan
Using color to match your mood
Repeating shapes or lines
Journaling with drawings instead of words

The goal is process, not outcome.

Simple Art Practices for Anxiety

If you’re feeling anxious, try one of these:

Color breathing: Choose one color and fill the page slowly while breathing deeply
Emotion mapping: Use shapes or lines to represent how anxiety feels in your body
Five-minute free draw: Set a timer and draw without lifting your pen

These practices help move anxious energy instead of suppressing it.