July 3, 2020. In pandemic and COVID-19 news: Although U.S. cases have been increasing as of late, death totals were decreasing. According to the N.Y. Times this was due to two reasons: improving treatment and the elderly being more careful.
However, the reason for the latest increase of coronavirus cases was due to young people not being careful and letting their guard down. The timing is not clear, but the data from early spring showed fatal cases ended 3-5 weeks after contracting the virus. If that stands true, in a few weeks, those increased cases (mostly young people) could prove fatal. With the fourth of July celebrations looming in the near future it seems like more bad news may be upcoming.
So how about some good news: It seems the arts and being creative can help with your mood and outlook during the pandemic. According to ..."Dr. Susan Magsamen, executive director of the International Arts and Mind Lab at the Brain Science Institute of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, says there’s an element we’re missing. “I think of art as being as important as exercise, sleep or nutrition,” she says. “It’s a regulator, a way to regulate your body’s systems in a stressful time.” The University, in response to the pandemic and anxiety it has caused, has even created a field guide for all artistic neophytes https://www.artsandmindlab.org/covid-19-neuro-arts-field-guide/
During most cases of trauma or disaster there are phases one goes through on the way to healing. You may feel disbelief, anger, guilt, etc, but in a prolonged pandemic (one which may appear to have no end in sight) the recovery never comes and anxiety reaches new heights. Cortisol, the main stress hormone in our body, is released more regularly and we maintain a state of emergency. This affects our nervous, respiratory and motor systems making us physically ill in some cases. Art experiences have been shown to lower cortisol levels and help regulate your body's systems. Art can create neural pathways (as does movement) and thus eliminate fear which in turn decreases activity in the cortisol producing amygdala. The distraction settles us down. Remember when multi-tasking was a thing?
Well it's not anymore and doing one thing at a time is the way to go, not only for the most efficient results of the task at hand, but for keeping your brain relaxed during stressful times.
Thanks pandemic for helping us find our inner painter, musician, book critic, and filmmaker.
Read on! Watch on! Rock on! Art on!
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