Going to Art Galleries Can Improve Wellbeing
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A Picture of Health: Sure, scrolling through art on Instagram is easy enough from the comfort of your living room is easy enough. But a new study suggests the true benefits come from seeing the real thing in person. Researchers at King’s College London found that viewing original artworks in a gallery can ease stress and even trigger measurable changes in the body.
The Study: Fifty adults viewed paintings by Manet, Van Gogh, and Gauguin either at London’s Courtauld Gallery or as reproductions in a plain room. The gallery-goers saw a 22% drop in cortisol, the body’s main stress hormone, and lower levels of inflammatory markers tied to chronic illness. In short, being around real art seems to calm the body in a way that screen time can’t.
The Takeaway: This study confirms what many of us have long suspected: Looking at art really is good for you. So the next time you need some inspiration, try strolling through a museum instead of scrolling on the couch.
Keep in Mind: The study was small, but researchers measured the emotional intelligence of participants beforehand and found that the benefits for everyone were consistent across the board.
