Art as Therapy: Why More People Are Turning to Paint by Numbers for Healing

In the world we live in today, healing has become so much more than just medical treatment; it now encompasses emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being. As people seek relief from stress, ways to process their emotions, and to reconnect with themselves, art therapy has gained popularity. One unexpected but unbelievably powerful therapy tool that has emerged from art therapy is Paint by Numbers.

Paint by Numbers has transitioned from a fun hobby to a well-established therapeutic practice, which is being utilised by many psychologists, wellness practitioners, and everyone in between. Paint by Numbers is being used to promote healing, from relieving anxiety to recovery from trauma. This structured painting is beneficial for people in a variety of ways: emotionally, mentally, and creatively. 

What is it about Paint by Numbers that makes it so therapeutic? Why is Paint by Numbers resonating with so many people of all ages and backgrounds? Let's dive into the multitude of ways that this simple activity can help heal.

Structured Creativity That Soothes

Underpinning Paint by Numbers is an ideal mix of freedom and structure. The canvas starts with a pre-made image with numbered spaces. The numbers correspond to particular colours, and as the user colours into those predetermined spaces, the chart slowly becomes a complete picture and painting. 

It can be comforting to relieve oneself of the burden of creating a piece of art from scratch if one is dealing with any mental health concerns or emotional distress. It also provides a process and structure with steps to get from start to finish. It offers just enough structure to help one figure out how to focus, have patience, and find calm before a detailed process.

The task is predictable and almost meditative. It becomes like guided mindfulness as you allow your mind to rest from speeding thoughts and feel peace in the moment. Each stroke becomes intentional, and the process gives a sense of accomplishment, which is necessary to build self-worth.

A Safe Space for Emotional Expression

Not everyone finds it easy to express feelings. For many people, trauma, loss, or chronic stress may become encased deep down within the self, and it can be difficult to express those feelings verbally. Art therapy, particularly painting, provides a palpable outlet for those emotions. 

The act of selecting colours, filling in the shapes, and seeing ideas emerge generates emotional release in subtle ways that feel uniquely personal. Paint by Numbers may follow a prescribed pattern, yet it feels very much your own. Perhaps the reason that many people report feeling relaxed, contemplative, grounded, or emotionally balanced after an emotional attack is because of painting.

Some therapists will even include a painting exercise in counselling sessions, as they function to desensitise the client. They don't have to talk directly about the emotions of a more serious conversation, the painting experience can provide a no-pressure neutral activity. Yet, still provides a contextual framework for opening up, being vulnerable, and contemplation.

Reclaiming Control Through Art

One of the most powerful themes during emotional turmoil is hopelessness. Whether it comes in the form of anxiety, depression, trauma, or life transition, feeling out of control is frightening. Healing starts, in part, by recognising a sense of agency—and this is where painting comes in.

When you complete a paint-by-numbers canvas, the entire process is within the control of the individual. There is no right way or wrong way to do it. There is no timeline, and no expectations to create a performance. Each time a section is filled in, you gain clarity, progress, and physical evidence of achievement.

That experience of control, even if small, has a profound effect psychologically. It rebuilds confidence, provides a routine, and assures the painter they are capable of effecting change in their surroundings, starting with colour and canvas.

From Isolation to Connection

Experiencing loneliness and emotional isolation are often symptoms of emotional distress. Whether it's from social anxiety, a chronic illness, or being trapped by closures during a pandemic, being disconnected from others can negatively impact emotional health. 

Paint by Numbers connects people. It's an activity for one that is also easily shared! Families can paint together around the kitchen table. Friends can host painting nights via online meetup platforms. Online paint-by-number communities can get together to share progress, share tips, and share completed pieces.

The worldwide explosion of interest has also allowed for smaller countries and their communities to develop like paint by number Australia and other ongoing locales. Australians have quickly accepted painting with your friends and family as a collective activity, like many all over the world. The activity is not just about arriving at the final piece; it is about the fun of painting beside, across from, or with a friend via technology.

These representations of connection as a source of belonging and feeling able to lean on mutual support are invaluable to healing.

Encouraging Presence in a Distracted World

In a world where we're continuously pulled in a dozen directions - emails, notifications, deadlines, scrolling - it is truly rare to encounter an activity that demands and rewards sustained focus. Painting requires presence. You cannot rush through it, you cannot multitask while participating in painting.

Painters become very grounded in the moment. The focus shifts from the external chaos of the world to the internal pace of brush, canvas, and colour. This level of presence is what many seek out through meditation or yoga, the space away from life's distractions. Like those activities, painting regulates our nervous system and manages our emotional responses.

With time and practice, this attention toward focus extends into our daily lives. Individuals become increasingly aware of their thoughts, more patient with themselves, and establish a greater sense of presence in the moment.

Healing Doesn’t Have to Be Hard

One of the main reasons that Paint by Numbers has been able to find such widespread appeal is the fact that it is simple. You don't have to be an artist. You don't have to buy expensive materials. You don't have to take a class. The kits are designed for everyone, no experience necessary, and for seasoned painters who want to simply create without pressure.

This removal of barriers is important. Healing is not exclusively tied to therapy, extensive life changes, expensive retreats, and programs. Sometimes healing can start with a quiet hour of painting at your kitchen table, a warm cup of tea close by, while a canvas fills with a rainbow of colours. 

With so many providers available and kits ranging from nature scenes, abstract designs, custom portraits and local landscape scenes, there is something for everyone. For example, in Australia, local paint by number retailers have created a culturally relevant offering that is designed beautifully and speaks to both locals and visitors.

Final Thoughts

Art has been known as a reflection of the inner world from ancient times, so you do not need to be an artist to create art as a form of healing. Paint by Numbers turns art into therapy-- a gentle, approachable, and profound practice you can do to promote emotional wellness, practice mindfulness, and explore personal resilience. 

If you're feeling stressed, recovering from loss, navigating through life transitions, or just retreating from the busyness of the world, painting by numbers offers an opportunity to rest and process your experience in a therapeutic space! 

So if you're hoping to slow down, creatively express yourself, and find your creative self, pick up a paintbrush! The canvas calls for you, not only for colored paint, but for healing!