How Does the Power of Art Maintain My Mental Wellness? — Explore Your Own Way To Slow Down In Life!

當提到「藝術的力量」時，我相信你們當中不少人都會聯想到繪畫或製作手工藝，並心想：「我不擅長畫畫，這要怎麼跟我的精神健康產生連結？」然而，藝術其實以多種形式存在於我們的日常生活之中，包括但不限於黏土雕塑、小誌（Zine）工作坊、攝影治療等等。顯而易見，你並不需要精通畫畫，也能透過藝術來維持精神健康。今天，我想分享兩種不同的藝術形式——藝術展覽治療與花藝治療——如何提升了我的精神健康。

The Power of Art Exhibition

I visited a memorable art exhibition called “Art House Tai Hang”. It is an art exhibition connected with the Tai Hang community, consisting of eight zones located across three streets in the area.

This is one of my favorite artworks: a small cloud inside a big frame.

The artist wanted to highlight the phenomenon that many of us are often glued to electronic devices nowadays. Photos and videos we take on our phones, along with documents and proposals we save on our laptops, are all uploaded to “the cloud” (referring to a computer network where files and programs are stored, especially the internet). Yet, “the cloud” in the frame only occupies a small portion of the space, emphasizing that we should not let images, videos, and documents on our devices limit what we can see, feel, and experience. They are just a small part of our lives! The sky is vast, and there are still plenty of things for us to explore and feel through face-to-face connections, conversations, and observations with one another.

It reminded me to cherish the moments I am living in real life—using my eyes to observe nature more deeply, including the birds, the flowers, and the sky. It also taught me to cherish true human connections by putting down my electronic devices when hanging out with friends and family, looking into each other’s eyes during conversations to show that we care.

Once I saw the artwork, I concentrated on its design and colours. Under this relaxed atmosphere, the academic pressure in my life suddenly disappeared as I focused on the piece; it created a space for me to stop worrying about my daily stresses. Thoughts like “What does the artist want to imply behind the work?” and “How is this concept related to daily life?” filled my mind. Artworks like this always provide me with insights from different perspectives, which I would seldom think deeply about outside of an exhibition.

That’s how a piece of art inspired me to reflect on the use of electronic devices and reminded me to cherish true human connections.

Dr. Nisha Sajnani, Director of Arts and Health at New York University and co-director of Jameel Arts & Health Lab, also noted that, “Even a single session of viewing visual art can significantly enhance well-being, reduce stress, and activate pleasure and reward pathways in the brain. These effects are amplified by moments of reflection, social connection, and personal meaning—reminding us that art doesn’t just reflect life—it helps us feel more alive.”

As teenagers with countless to-do lists every day in Hong Kong, it is so important for us to find a way to slow down and rest. Visiting an art exhibition—even just once a week for 1 to 2 hours—can reduce a lot of stress. Let’s try it out whenever you are free!

The Power of Floral

Flowers bloom in their own time, and wither in their own time as well. I feel like flowers are always reminding us to cherish every present moment and live fruitfully, just like a beautiful flower. Every flower and its colour carries a unique meaning, quietly offering us blessings. I love blue flowers, whose hidden meaning represents “making dreams come true” and maintaining peace and love”; yellow flowers, on the other hand, represent “happiness and luck.”

Combining these blessings with my thoughts through flower arranging is a journey of self-expression, allowing me to share my ideas freely. During the process, I choose the colours and types of flowers, figuring out how to arrange them to perfectly showcase each bloom’s unique character. It is not only a time to relax, but also a way to build self-esteem. A study published in the Journal of People, Plants, and Environment found that teenagers who participated in a flower-arranging program experienced a significant increase in their self-esteem. Why not set aside some time for yourself to be among the flowers and greenery? In the world of floral art, we learn not only to appreciate the blossoming of flowers, but also to appreciate the unique, one-of-a-kind person we are.

Last but not least, there are actually many forms of art that can create space for you to slow down, such as taking film photos, art journaling, joining zine workshops, or free drawing. Simply try out whichever you have a keen interest in, and feel how the power of art heals your well-being. Beyond art, there are many other ways to unwind. I highly encourage all of you to find a way that feels comfortable for you to slow down and recharge.

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