Everyone deals with emotional or mental struggles at some point in their lives.

Whether it is situational anxiety or depression and stress from daily routines, it helps to take time to breathe, relax and regain your perspective. One tool that you can use for your mental well-being may be attached to your phone (or you might have a professional one) – a camera.

Art therapy and creativity are valuable tools for emotional and mental wellness. Photography is one tool that you can use without being professionally trained or going to art school. With a phone or your DSLR, you can take pretty photos. You can go online to learn how to edit photos like high-end photo retouch professionals.

Today, it’s easier to take photos to not just add to your list of hobbies but to take a moment and see your surroundings through a new lens. Plus, photography is a form of self-expression. You can take photos to reconstruct a positive version of your identity.

How Photography Positively Impacts Your Mental Health

First, photography improves your self-care habits. Taking photos regularly and sharing them with others can do wonders for your self-esteem, especially if people share positive remarks on your work. Also, doing something new helps you develop a new habit, which takes your mind off your worries, problems and other negative thoughts.

Taking photos is therapeutic and can make you feel refreshed. It also busies your brain by making you think of your photos.

Second, photography can help you remember the joys of your life.

Photos capture unique moments. They bring back fond memories and all the positive thoughts associated with these happy thoughts. This is one of the reasons people who feel down or struggle with emotional wellness usually look through old photos.

Third, photography gives you a beautiful vision of the world.

You know the old saying, “A picture is a thousand words.” Every photo has a story and taking photos lets you see the beauty you can only appreciate from the lens of a camera. One of the greatest things about photos is you can freeze time and take photos of the beauty that you see.

Fourth, photography also keeps your brain in good shape.

Taking photos is a good mental exercise since it is a highly cognitive activity. Through regular photography, you improve and enhance your reasoning skills and episodic memory.

At the same time, it also keeps your body moving, especially if you’re a big fan of outdoor photography. Running around to take a photo helps you burn more calories, especially if you have to jog ahead, crouch down or climb a tree to take a good photo of the mandala flower pattern you see.

Fifth, photography improves creativity.

You want to take a good photo. At the same time, you’re trying to express yourself via the photos you take.

Finally, photography gives you a sense of direction. Especially with COVID-19 drastically changing our lives, people are uncertain about their future. Uncertainty is scary. Photography keeps your daunting thoughts at bay by letting you enjoy the moment through photos.

How To Take Photos for a Better Mental Health

So, how can you get your creative juices flowing for the sake of your mental well-being?

By picking up a camera, whether it’s your phone or a DSLR, you give your mind some space to breathe and rest. At the same time, you’re practicing creativity and mindfulness plus plenty of self-care.