The Effect of Art and Music on Stress and Anxiety Levels in Adolescents

Pages: 240-242
Sanya Aggarwal (Delhi Public School, R.K. Puram, New Delhi)

Previous studies have shown that music and art therapy can aid in the prevention and treatment of a range of psychosocial illnesses. They both aid in the development of effective learning strategies and emotional self-control and are also effective tools for expressing emotions, processing difficult feelings, and finding solace (Guest Author, 2018). Adolescence is a difficult time for teens since they are undergoing so many physical, social, and emotional changes and thus, are more vulnerable to stress, anxiety attacks, and despair. Art and music are known to help in lowering cortisol levels in humans and consequently increasing dopamine production in the body and thus providing peace of mind to adolescents. To reach a conclusion, the researcher conducted a study using the mailed questionnaire approach to investigate teenage stress levels and if art and music therapy helps them cope, as well as research about its effectiveness. Art and music therapy were mentioned by the majority of the participants as beneficial stress coping strategies, and it was also concluded that ignoring stress and anxiety situations doesn’t usually help; rather proves to be more detrimental to their mental well-being. These results support the hypothesis that stress and anxiety levels in adolescents can be significantly reduced using effective coping techniques such as art and music therapy.