You may have heard of “forest bathing” or “blue mind”, terms for the relaxing effect of being in nature or staring wistfully at the sea.
Now, scientists have found that appreciating the work of artists such as Van Gogh, Manet or Gauguin may have a similarly relaxing effect, with results showing that visiting a gallery could even boost the immune system.
A King’s College London researcher tests a participant who viewed Van Gogh’s Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear
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In a study, looking at art in galleries had an immediate effect on participants’ stress levels, and could reduce cortisol levels by nearly a quarter, researchers from King’s College London found.
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Half of the 50 participants, aged 18 to 40, viewed paintings at the Courtauld Gallery in London, while the other half looked at copies of the works in a normal environment.
Both groups wore sensors that measured heart rate and skin temperature, with samples of their saliva taken before and after viewing the art. The researchers found that levels of the stress hormone cortisol fell by an average of 22 per cent among those viewing original art, compared with 8 per cent for those viewing copies.
Those viewing the art in a gallery also had more “dynamic” heart activity, potentially demonstrating that art engages the body through emotional arousal and stress regulation.
A participant looks at Gauguin’s The Dream while her heart rate and skin temperature are monitored and saliva analysed
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The researcher Dr Tony Woods said: “The research clearly shows the stress-reducing properties of viewing original art and its ability to simultaneously excite, engage and arouse us.
“From a scientific perspective, the most exciting outtake is that art had a positive impact on three different body systems — the immune, endocrine and autonomic systems — at the same time. This is a unique finding and something we were genuinely surprised to see.
“In short, our unique and original study provides compelling evidence that viewing art in a gallery is good for you and helps to further our understanding of its fundamental benefits. In essence, art doesn’t just move us emotionally, it calms the body too.”
Some types of cytokine proteins, which act as messengers for the immune system and are linked to stress and a number of inflammatory diseases, also dropped among those who viewed the original art.
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For the group visiting the gallery, the two proteins measured dropped by 30 and 28 per cent respectively, compared with no change for the group viewing reproductions. According to the research team, this could indicate that viewing art had a calming effect on the body’s inflammatory responses.
Woods said: “Stress hormones and inflammatory markers like cortisol, IL-6 and TNF-alpha are linked to a wide range of health problems, from heart disease and diabetes to anxiety and depression. The fact that viewing original art lowered these markers suggests that cultural experiences may play a real role in protecting both mind and body.”
The team said viewing art could be seen as a “cultural workout for the body”, as participants also showed signs of physical excitement, including slight drops in skin temperature and more varied heartbeat patterns, which indicate a heightened emotional response.
The research, which has not yet been peer reviewed, was funded by the Art Fund and the Psychiatry Research Trust.
Jenny Waldman, director at the Art Fund, said: “This study proves for the first time what we’ve long felt at Art Fund: that art really is good for you. What’s particularly exciting is that the findings show these benefits are universal — they can be experienced by anyone.
“We want to encourage everyone to make time to visit their local museum or gallery and experience these powerful effects for themselves.”