In recent years mental health has become a top issue for many Americans who are struggling with isolation and stress. For a long time many people have turned to creative hobbies such as music and art to relieve anxiety. Now, researchers studying the cognitive benefits of music and art are saying that we might be onto something.
Listening to Hip-Hop is the New Therapy
You might not believe it at first, but that song about gold chains and getting money may actually be helping your brain.
Research from Cambridge University suggests that the “positive visual imagery” found in rap and hip-hop lyrics can be good for depression. The study published in The Lancet was done by Dr. Akeem Sule, a consultant psychiatrist, and Dr. Becky Inkster, a clinical neuroscientist. They argue that hip-hop music uses a psychotherapeutic technique to help you feel like you’re winning.
This positive imagery helps us change our mental state, moving our attention away from depressing thoughts. The authors of the study hope that their research can be used where it’s often needed most– in prisons, schools, and hostels. These are places where people suffer from mental health issues and are desperate for help.
In an interview with Mashable, Dr. Inkster commented that she believes “this is a movement and a new culture. With people being able to open up with hip-hop, it will heal them. They can walk away with this and it provides a new form of therapeutic release.”
Hip-Hop music and ‘freestyling’ puts our minds in a ‘flow state’ which affects the parts of our brain associated with emotion, language, motivation, and motor function. The music stimulates these areas which can help cope with trauma or relieve stress.
Paint While You Sip Wine for Stress Relief
Another way to improve mental health which has also seen increased popularity during the Covid-19 pandemic is painting. Among the many benefits of painting is the opportunity to concentrate and focus on a single thing: our art.
This is especially important nowadays when distractions are all around us. Painting can help us slow down and observe our surroundings. It can help jog our memories as we try to connect mental pictures in our minds.
One type of event gaining traction in recent years is paint-and-sip, and it’s exactly what it sounds like. Beginners and professionals alike gather in shared spaces to paint, socialize, and drink their favorite (alcoholic) beverage.
The idea behind these events is that there is no shame in what or how you paint. As long as you are expressing yourself and having a good time is all that matters. And after pandemic restrictions became a reality, signing up for an online paint class became an option.
What we paint can also help us in the same way that hip-hop music can. By reflecting “positive visual imagery” in our art we can feel better about ourselves. In fact, a recent study by neuroscientist Kelly Lambert suggests that painting can stimulate the parts of the brain affected by depression. This effect is also possible in an online paint class; it doesn’t matter where you do it, as long as you’re engaged.
New Rap Hits to Boost Your Health
The latest album by producer DJ Khaled, titled Khaled Khaled, has a lot of hits to start putting all this research into practice. The hit single featuring Jay-Z and Nas “Sorry Not Sorry” will get you feeling positive and feeling good.
The music video features all the rappers sitting around a poker table in tuxedos and sunglasses, smoking cigars. You can hear “living the dream” over and over again in the chorus, and it’s hard not to feel like you are living the dream.
Similarly, grammy winning rapper J. Cole just released his latest album The Off-Season with a collection of positive vibes. The single “amari” features him talking about having made it: “Now I’m at the Garden sitting half court…”
Up and coming rapper DaBaby previewed his new song “Ball If I Want To” 3 days after the 2021 grammys. The song has a catchy beat with a message about being able to do whatever he wants. This message can help people who may feel hopeless or like they’ve lost control.
But you don’t only have to listen to the latest hits. There are many young rappers looking for an audience who are sharing their hopes of making it big through their music. You can start by listening to Morray “Kingdom” or a lesser known Hip-Hop/Rap artist like Sidesho Bizzle “Pinny”.
Rap and Painting: The Power Duo
It’s up to each individual to address their mental health with the resources available to them. Fortunately, you can easily tune into a hip-hop station and bring out the paints and paintbrushes, wherever you are. For example, if you’re in Colorado and want to try Paint and Sip Live, a Denver art class might be the perfect choice for you.
After reading about the effects of both hip-hop and painting, you might be tempted to do both! While there has not been specific research done with regards to this strange mix, we know that both offer benefits. So turn up the music and sign up for an online paint class to start feeling good.