Can art really boost our mood?
Art provides a time for mindfulness and escapism. A healthy ‘procrastination’.
‘Meet you by the wiggly bacon statue’ a common phrase muttered by students before going to grab a mid-revision coffee from the union. But how many of us have taken the time to understand the meaning of the statue and the history behind it, or to admire it as a piece of artwork rather than just a landmark. In truth, the university campus is home to an extensive range of art that most of us walk past every day.
But what would be the benefit of stopping and noticing these public displays of art? Well, it’s time to recognise the contribution of the arts to health and well-being. Being engaged with the public art around us has physical, mental, emotional and social benefits — not to mention the financial benefit. Research has shown that viewing public art can trigger the release of neurochemicals in our brains which have a powerful mood enhancing effect(1). In addition, engagement with creative activities has the potential to contribute toward reducing stress and burden(2). Evidently, improvements in health and well-being and greater engagement in the arts are closely entwined: the better the creative engagement, the more likely it is to lead to healthy outcomes(3).
An easy way to engage with the art around campus is to go on the Stanley & Audrey Burton Gallery public art trail. This trail highlights art around the campus that you may not have previously noticed. The trail starts at the gallery and using the easy to follow guide, takes you around some of the university’s most powerful and historical sculptures. The guide takes you through the significance of the sculptures and the meaning which enables a more mindful approach to viewing. If you don’t have time to walk the full trail, use the map to find a sculpture near you. Take 5 minutes to view the sculpture. If you feel your mind wandering, try and bring your focus back to the sculpture. Examine the colours, the lines, textures, and forms. Looking at a work of art in this way, forces us to slow down, and shift our patterns of habitual thinking. At any given moment, it is easy for our minds to be preoccupied with the stressors of everyday life. Opportunities that break these patterns of thinking, like art observation, allow us to open up to the richness of a moment. You begin to recognise that the ability of our brains to contemplate, conceptualise, create new connections is limitless.
As someone who comes from a science background without much art experience, I decided to test out the benefits of the art world on my well-being. On a cold, wet Saturday afternoon, I decided to take a break from revision and go to a life drawing class at the gallery. I was apprehensive going in, I was sure I would be the only amateur in the class. However, there was a warm welcome, a clear explanation of what the class would entail and equipment ready and laid out. After two hours of a calming atmosphere and trying a new skill, I left feeling refreshed and ready to learn again. The class offered both a change of environment and mindset. Regardless of your experience, I’d recommend engaging with the art around campus whether that be from admiring statues, strolling around the Stanley & Audrey Burton Gallery, or taking part in a life-drawing class. Art provides a time for mindfulness and escapism. Click here to see what’s going on at the gallery to see if you can fit it into your schedule.
(1) Carroll, N. (2003). Art and Mood: Preliminary Notes and Conjectures. The Monist, 86(4), 521–555. https://doi.org/10.5840/monist200386426
(2) Stuckey, H., & Nobel, J. (2010). The connection between art, healing, and public health: a review of current literature.(FRAMING HEALTH MATTERS)(Author abstract)(Report). The American Journal of Public Health, 100(2), 254–25463. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2008.156497
(3) Cameron, M., Crane, N., Ings, R., & Taylor, K. (2013). Promoting well-being through creativity: how arts and public health can learn from each other. Perspectives in Public Health, 133(1), 52–59. https://doi.org/10.1177/1757913912466951
