Looking for an interesting way to reduce stress? A trip to an art museum or gallery could help, according to a study conducted by British researchers.
For the study, 50 volunteers between the ages of 18 and 40 were asked to look at original artworks at the Courtauld Gallery in London or reproductions of the same paintings in a “matched, non-gallery environment.”
The researchers found that the participants who looked at the original art experienced a decrease in cortisol (a key stress hormone) levels by an average of 22%. For those who looked at the reproductions, it was only 8%.
“Those viewing original art also had more dynamic heart activity – indicating that art engages the body through both emotional arousal and stress regulation,” the researchers said.
In addition, body proteins linked to stress and different chronic diseases decreased around 30% among the participants who looked at original art. The reproduction group had no change in those proteins.
“This suggests art has a potential calming effect on the body’s inflammatory responses,” the researchers said.
