How beneficial is art in terms of helping with mental health issues and stress?
Let me tell you my story
A Very Difficult Year
Back in August 2013, I was in a really bad way. I was battling work-related stress and anxiety, juggling a mountain of debt, behind on my mortgage, and on top of all that—dealing with terrifying episodes of vertigo.
My GP wasn’t much help and prescribed me medication that made me feel even worse—so bad, in fact, I felt suicidal. I felt backed into a corner and couldn’t see a way out of any of it.
The Turning Point
But then, something shifted. A good friend of mine Marie Grueber —who happens to be a therapeutic arts specialist—suggested I try returning to art.
I hadn’t painted since leaving school 35 years earlier, despite having an A-Level in Art.
I thought, “Why not?”
So one Saturday, I cleared a space on the kitchen table and started painting. Four hours later, I sat back and asked myself:
“Wendy, what were you thinking about while you were painting?”
The answer?
Absolutely nothing.
- No going over conversations
- No Ruminating
- No fretting about ‘stuff’
No stressing about bills, demand letters or phone calls or everything I was “meant” to be doing. Just… peace.
That was all the encouragement I needed to try again.
My Paintings were Awful, but that Didn’t Matter
The following Saturday, I painted again. It was rubbish—objectively, not great—but I didn’t care. Because I’d discovered something far more important:
My happy place.
It was a space of calm and tranquillity, even if it only lasted 30 minutes. And that feeling? I’ve been chasing (and finding) it ever since.
Finding Healing in Small Moments
Back then, I couldn’t afford fancy materials or even art books. So I used to go to the library in my lunch breaks just to get away from the office.
I’d sit and read about painting, sketching, colour theory—anything to feed my curiosity and keep the creative spark alive.
Eventually, I changed jobs. I found a workplace with kinder people, and I also saw a medical nutritionist who discovered I was gluten and lactose intolerant. That meant a huge diet overhaul—but it worked. I haven’t had an episode of vertigo in over five years. And I paid off every penny of my debt.
But more than any of that—the real turning point was rediscovering art.
Even If You Can’t ‘Draw’ …
You don’t need to be “good” at art to benefit from it. Seriously.
It’s now widely accepted that creative activities—painting, drawing, crafts, whatever—help reduce stress levels. Even if you “can’t draw for toffee,” you’ll still get the mental health benefits.
So if you’re overwhelmed, anxious, or simply craving some stillness in your day, I’d urge you to give it a go. Just play. Get messy. See what happens.
From Kitchen Table to First Art Collection
What started as a way to survive has turned into something I never imagined.
Now, I’m working on my very first art collection.
I would’ve laughed if you’d told me that ten years ago. But here I am writing a blog post about it. I’ve even made a video
And I have zero regrets.
In a Nutshell
If you’re looking for a way to reduce stress, reconnect with yourself, or just escape the noise for a while, I absolutely recommend picking up a paintbrush (or whatever creative tool speaks to you).
I’m eternally grateful I returned to art when I did.
And I’ve never looked back.
Let’s Stay Connected
– Website: www.wendydashwood.com
– Instagram: @wendy.dashwood
– Shop Prints & Originals: Etsy Shop
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