Is Painting by Numbers Good for Mental Health? (Explained!)
Have you ever considered the mental health benefits of using paint by numbers kits?
It may surprise you to learn that these creative kits offer more than just a simple pastime.
Number paintings can profoundly impact our well-being, including helping to relieve stress and anxiety, increasing self-esteem, improving memory, motor skills, and observation skills, and nurturing our creative instincts.
In this post, we will explore some of the compelling reasons why you should consider getting a paint by numbers kit so you can get engaged in painting your numbers activities for your own mental health.
Let’s begin!
What are the mental health benefits of paint by numbers?
Paint by numbers offers several benefits that can positively impact your mental health.
Here are nine key benefits.
1. Helps relieve stress and anxiety
Creative activities like cooking, photography, writing, and painting by numbers can effectively reduce stress and anxiety and promote relaxation.
Engaging in such activities has been linked to improving mood and fighting anhedonia. Anhedonia is a common symptom of depression where one loses interest in previously enjoyable activities.
But do not take our words alone. Studies done on art therapy and its potential benefits for adult mental health rehabilitation also found that art therapy can be beneficial for individuals dealing with psychological problems.
For example, painting art such as lion paint helps people become more self-aware, solve communication problems, express themselves more clearly, and deal with various other mental health issues. It has the potential to reduce stress significantly.
2. Helps you relax after long days
After a stressful day, Paint by Number kits can be a fantastic tool to unwind and relax. And the reason why is not far-fetched.
When you paint a picture, your attention becomes fully absorbed in the task at hand. You carefully select the appropriate colored paint and match it with the corresponding number, applying it neatly within the designated area.
This deliberate act of choosing colors and following the guidelines fosters a meditative state, enabling you to escape the worries and anxieties that may be plaguing your mind. As a result, symptoms of anxiety and depression that affect mental and emotional health can be alleviated.
Whenever you find yourself seeking relaxation and a reprieve from anxiety and depression, consider reaching for a Paint by Number kit and allow yourself to be absorbed in the therapeutic rhythm of Painting, and let the colors and brushstrokes guide you to a place of serenity and inner peace.
3. Has a meditative effect
Psychologists have long recognized meditation as an effective method for managing mental health. Interestingly, Painting by numbers can elicit a similar meditative effect as individuals become intensely focused on the task.
This heightened concentration enables painters to overcome negative emotions and redirect their attention toward a positive endeavor.
You may also like: 7 ways paint by numbers boosts your brain (research-backed)
4. Increases your self-esteem
Painting by numbers not only brings joy and relaxation but also contributes to a significant boost in self-esteem.
When engaged in this hands-on activity, there is a release of dopamine which fosters a sense of accomplishment and elevates self-esteem.
The more you engage in this activity and see your artistic creation taking shape, the more you will experience a growing belief in your ability to create something beautiful, reinforcing a positive mindset.
Furthermore, the final outcome of a paint by number piece also plays a vital role in boosting self-esteem. Each time you pass by your completed artwork, you will feel a profound sense of pride and achievement.
You don't have to wait for something external to make you feel better. Start with our DIY paint by numbers kit, create your own paint by number using our paint by numbers custom photo, and give your self-esteem a boost as you see your unique masterpiece unveiled.
5. Improves patience and organization
Completing an artwork takes time and patience, and painting by numbers, even though easier, does require effort, time, and patience too.
For instance, the nature of painting by numbers emphasizes attention to detail. This detail-oriented approach necessitates a considerable amount of patience from the painter.
Rushing through the painting process can lead to mistakes or unsatisfactory results. Hence, painting pictures forces you to learn to embrace a slower pace, taking the necessary time to ensure accuracy and precision in capturing the finer elements of the artwork.
This also teaches you to work diligently on a project and see it through to completion, regardless of how long it may take. This cultivation of patience offers valuable benefits, extending beyond artistry to enhancing one’s mental health and overall patience in various aspects of life.
Lastly, when you paint your numbers, it fosters a sense of organization. Painters learn to keep their paints and brushes systematically arranged, ensuring efficient use and minimizing distractions.
This practice enhances organizational skills in other aspects of their life and encourages the development of personalized methods for approaching and managing a painting.
You may also like: How to frame paint by numbers (full guide).
6. Encourages self-discovery
Engaging in painting pictures can be a powerful tool for self-discovery and healing.
It is an activity that allows individuals to express themselves in a personal and reflective manner while also providing a healthy distance from potentially traumatic experiences.
The act provides a healthy outlet for emotions, allowing individuals to let their feelings flow onto the canvas and out of their bodies.
Gretchen Miller, an art therapist, also agrees. She wrote about the therapeutic benefits of art, particularly in helping people heal from traumatic experiences without relying on more straightforward and difficult-to-communicate language.
7. Helps you memorize things easily
The incredible capacity of the human brain can be further enhanced through various triggers and activities. One such trigger that yields tremendous benefits is engaging with paint by numbers kits.
This creative pursuit provides enjoyment for individuals in general and proves to be highly beneficial for those facing health challenges that affect their memory.
Individuals with health conditions like Alzheimer’s serve as remarkable examples of how these artistic kits can assist in managing symptoms associated with memory impairment.
Studies and real-life experiences have demonstrated the positive impact of these creative activities on Alzheimer’s patients, particularly concerning their retentive memory.
The simple joy and fulfillment derived from completing each section of a paint by numbers piece contribute to a richer and more fulfilling life, even amidst the challenges posed by memory-related health complications.
8. Enhances your observation skills
Much of what happens in our daily lives depends on our ability to keep track of things on time.
Engaging in activities like painting with a paint by numbers kit can be beneficial in this regard.
Painting with a paint by numbers kit involves various activities such as shading, exposure to contrasting elements like darkness and light, and several other activities which requires attentiveness to subtle variations in color intensity.
Carefully distinguishing and applying shades or color intensity contributes to honing one’s observation abilities.
9. Improves your motor skills
Motor skills encompass the internal processes that enable various movements within our bodies.
For instance, individuals who have experienced a stroke may face challenges with their motor skills due to the impact on their mobility.
In this context, it is essential to note that consistent and proper engagement in painting activities can significantly enhance an individual’s fine motor skills.
The repetitive task helps establish muscle memory and strengthen coordination as artists repeatedly engage their hands and fingers in controlled movements.
Who can benefit from doing paint by numbers kits?
Paint by Numbers kits offers a wide range of benefits that various individuals across different age groups can enjoy.
Here’s a breakdown of who can benefit from engaging in paint by numbers:
Children
Introducing children to creating art through Paint by Numbers can stimulate their artistic flair, engage their creativity, and provide an alternative to screen time.
The activity helps them learn about colors, shapes, and numbers enjoyably and interactively.
It also aids in improving their motor skills as they learn to control their movements while using paintbrushes and handling small objects.
Older adults
Painting by Numbers offers older adults a therapeutic outlet and a way to focus their attention on a fulfilling activity.
It provides a means to relax, forget daily problems, and engage their minds.
Older individuals can benefit from the brain-stimulating effects of colors and shapes like children. It serves as a creative and expressive outlet, allowing them to customize their artwork, develop their painting skills, and enjoy the process of self-expression.
Takeaway: Unleash your inner artist for mental wellness!
Painting by numbers is a fantastic approach to improving our mental health, serving as a therapeutic outlet that helps to relieve stress and anxiety, increase self-esteem, improve memory recollection skills, motor skills, and observation skills, and boost our sense of accomplishment.
Throughout this article, we explored nine key benefits of the positive impact on our well-being.
It is essential to consider these benefits when deciding whether to engage in this creative activity.
Don’t take your mental health for granted; embrace this creative endeavor and let the colorful world of Paint by Numbers enhance your well-being.
Order your custom Paint by Number kits.