A first-of-its kind study links gallery visits with lower stress levels and – potentially – better health outcomes
“Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.” So Pablo Picasso supposedly once said, while pontificating on the power of his profession. He was half right. According to new research, art is also good for our health.
A first-of-its-kind study by King’s College London has found that looking at art can – as well as moving us emotionally – benefit our physical wellbeing by reducing stress and inflammation.
Researchers recruited 50 volunteers, who were either sent to view artworks in London’s Courtauld Gallery, or shown reproductions in a non-gallery setting. Participants’ heart rates and skin temperatures were monitored to “track levels of interest and arousal”. Their cytokines and cortisol levels, which indicate stress, were also measured.
The findings revealed a stark difference between the two groups. Researchers noted a 22% drop in cortisol levels for those in the Courtauld Gallery, compared to just 8% for the other group. Meanwhile, pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-alpha) dropped by 30% and 28% respectively for the gallery cohort, with no change observed in the other group.
“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,” said Dr Tony Woods, who led the research. “The fact that viewing original art lowered these markers suggests that cultural experiences may play a real role in protecting both mind and body.”
He added: “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.”
Viewing art in a gallery lowers stress and inflammation, the study found. Image: Mitchell Luo
With just 50 participants, the study was small. However, it echoed the findings of another report – published last year by Frontier Economics – which looked more broadly at the UK culture sector’s impact on wellbeing.
It put the health benefits associated with regular engagement with the arts (including visiting museums, galleries or watching gigs) at £8bn per year to the UK economy, thanks to improvements in quality of life and productivity. It came as many councils cut art budgets to balance the books.
“Our research is important as decisions made in the absence of appropriate evidence may assume that the monetary value of some investments is zero,” said Sarah Karlsberg of Frontier Economics. “This has historically encouraged investment away from areas such as culture and heritage, where the wider impact on the economy has been difficult to monetise.”
Cultural experiences may play a real role in protecting both mind and body
A growing body of research is now putting a wellbeing value on art, which the King’s trial adds to.
“Our unique and original study provides compelling evidence that viewing art in a gallery is ‘good for you’,” said Dr Woods. “In essence, art doesn’t just move us emotionally – it calms the body too.”
Main image: Pauline Loroy
