Martin Seligman, considered the father of positive psychology, recently wrote his book, "Flourish," to outline five factors in maintaining a happy and healthy lifestyle. To keep spirits and emotions high, participating in art and music on a regular basis is a key component in living a positive life.

Nurses in rehabilitation centers have the unique opportunity to improve the mental health of their patients by helping them exercise different parts of their brain that are known to illicit happy feelings. Additionally, many practitioners use art to gauge what exactly is happening in the minds of troubled patients or those who have recently suffered from a brain injury like a stroke. This therapeutic brain activity helps minds recover from numerous forms of trauma.

In his book, Seligman considers art a healthy form of escape. While some people expel their emotions in journals or escape on a vacation to relax, others opt for artistic endeavors like painting, sculpting or even playing an instrument. Along with creating personal works of art, brain injury patients and any other person who uses art as a form of therapy can connect to each other on a social and intellectual level.