Um espaço para partilha de ideias relacionadas com as práticas artísticas
e os seus efeitos terapêuticos, com destaque para a vertente musical

segunda-feira, 26 de março de 2012

How art benefits the brain

by Grant Eckert

Many people question the purpose of art. They acknowledge an aesthetic approach but ignore any possible positive benefits of a more practical nature. Contrary to popular belief, art is not purely aesthetic. It is not a product with no possible effects outside of the obvious - an "artistic" product. Art is not of less use than science in preparing individuals for the "real" world. In fact, the contrary is true. Art is very important in helping the brain reach its full potential.

How does art accomplish this? It introduces the brain to diverse cognitive skills that help us unravel intricate problems. Art activates the creative part of our brain - the part that works without words and can only express itself non-verbally. Art, in thought and through the creative processes, activates the imaginative and creative side, the spatial and intuitive side of our brain. Art jumps over the process of linear and logical thinking. It trains the brain to shift into thinking differently, of broaching old problems in new ways. This is what makes art so important. It benefits the brain by training it to think outside the box. It helps children understand concepts with greater ease. It aids children in getting better grades. In the real world, the artistic side of the brain helps engineers solve problems. It guides individuals to create solutions. Art is the property of fine artists; it is also the product of engineers, technicians and computer designers. Art, in many different ways, helps people make the world a better place.

There have been copious studies on the relationship between art and its benefits to the brain. Semir Zeki, a former professor of neurobiology at the University College, London and co-head of the Wellcome Department of Cognitive Neurology, published an article, "Artistic Creativity and the Brain," in Science Magazine, in July 2001. Zeki detailed the relationship between the development of cognitive abilities and the creative process. He stated artistic expression is the key to comprehending ourselves. He also considered art and its expression as an expansion of brain function. In other words, art helps the brain in its search for knowledge.

Teachers apply this in the classroom, helping children improve their cognitive capabilities and stretch their ability to solve difficult problems. Professional therapists have also embraced art as another tool in their arsenal of leading the brain-weary back to health. In fact, several psychiatrists and psychologists highly recommend this form of treatment. Furthermore, training is now in place to ensure the standards remain high in this developing field.

Art therapy is now a common means of helping individuals to improve and enhance the physical, mental and emotional well-being. It bases its approach on the belief that the creative process involved in artistic self-expression helps people in a number of different positive ways. It facilitates them in ending or finding a solution to various conflicts and problems. Art also aids them to manage their behavior, develop interpersonal skills, increase self-esteem and self-awareness, lessen stress and attain insight.

Professionals use art therapy with children, adults and teens, individuals and groups. It is employed regardless of age or gender. Combining the areas of human development, visual arts such as painting, drawing and sculpture, and the creative process with the various models of counseling and psychotherapy, art therapy assesses and treats the following mental problems and disorders: anxiety, depression, mental illness, substance abuse and other addictions. Art therapists address family and relationship issues, abuse and domestic violence and social and emotional difficulties related to disability and illness. Art therapy is applicable in situations of trauma and loss, physical, cognitive, and neurological problems and psychosocial difficulties related to medical illness.

So what are the benefits of art on the brain? When individuals create art and reflect on it, the processes, increase self-awareness, initiate awareness of others and help people cope with stress, and traumatic experiences. Art enhances cognitive abilities and provides individuals with the ability to enjoy the life-affirming pleasures of making art. This is what makes art so important.


sexta-feira, 9 de março de 2012

The Healing Power of Music

"An unconventional approach to recovery and coping, music therapy is a field of medicine capturing new attention due to its role in helping Gabrielle Giffords recover from a gunshot. Correspondent Spencer Michels reports on the versatility of music in a medical setting, but the difficulty of quantifying its effectiveness."




Watch The Healing Power of Music on PBS. See more from PBS NewsHour.


Info acceed at PBS NewsHour
Image at http://ingridking.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/kliban_music_cat.jpg



quinta-feira, 8 de março de 2012

3º Encontro Internacional Saúde com Arte

O EISA, Encontro Internacional Saúde com Arte, é um espaço de reflexão e formação em torno do papel terapêutico que a Arte em geral, e a Música muito em particular, têm para o Ser Humano.

Promovido pela SAMP – Sociedade Artística Musical dos Pousos, coloca o ambiente hospitalar e a primeira infância como eixos prioritários de intervenção, abrindo-se contudo a outras populações alvo dos programas SAMP, como os idosos, doentes mentais e reclusos.

Depois de abordagens aos projetos Europeus mais significativos de música em ambiente hospitalar nas edições anteriores, em 2012 a SAMP abre as portas às experiências mais consolidadas nos Estados Unidos, com a presença do Serviço de Música e Medicina do Departamento de Cirurgia do Hospital de Massachusetts em Boston. Também dos EUA, da Northwestern University, estará representado o trabalho de um dos mais prestigiados laboratórios de Neurociência auditiva. O encontro decorrerá a 29 e 30 Março, em Leiria (Pousos) e terá como temática Sinapses e Emoções do Som. Porquê a música?

O EISA é dirigido a todos os profissionais com interesse pela relação Arte e Saúde. Inicialmente concebido para os profissionais SAMP envolvidos em programas de âmbito terapêutico, o EISA tem hoje como destinatários artistas e profissionais de saúde, educadores e professores de ensino especial, médicos, músicos, enfermeiros, assistentes sociais e animadores socioculturais. Está igualmente aberto a estudantes de qualquer uma das áreas anteriores.