Art and Well-being.

Doctors prescribe visitations to art galleries for well-being?

Art as an activity changes biology, emotional states and enhances mental wellbeing, providing an innate tool to navigate life. Daisy Fancourt, university college London found that individuals who engaged in artistic pursuits more than once a week, or who attended cultural events once or twice per year had significantly higher life satisfaction than those who don't. It’s not surprising then that the arts should be appreciated and studied more than ever, particularly amongst a society where mental health conditions are increasing alarmingly, at a faster rate than physical health conditions.

Typically, doctors prescribe movement or medication to help those with mental health conditions, however engagement with the arts shows a positive correlation with engagement and increased emotional well being. Now, doctors who are members of Médecins francophones du Canada are able to prescribe up to 50 visits to their patients; one prescription covers museum admission for two adults and two children.

https://www.artsy.net/article/artsy-editorial-going-art-museum-good-exercise

Kunsthaus Zürich, 2025.

Furtherly, a study facilitated in an arts therapy room at Drexel university found that as little 45 minutes of art related activity significantly reduced cortisol levels in the body, the hormone responsible for causing stress. No background in the arts was required for participation, rather the study focused more broadly on the process of authentic expression without the fear of judgement or expectation.

The focus of expression without judgement allowed for participants to feel safe throughout the duration of the study, significantly reducing maladaptive responses such as stress and anxiety surrounding the task at hand. The consequence being that creative expression resulted in adaptive behavioural outcomes, such as heightened self-efficacy, and enhanced cardiovascular reactivity. Therefore, art can be seen as an invaluable tool to relieve stress and amplify positive emotions such as joy and happiness, thus having significant impact on overall wellbeing.

Kunsthaus Zürich, 2025.