Benefits of Art to Your Overall Health and Wellbeing
Art is more than just aesthetically pleasing. The presence of art in your home triggers neurochemical changes that can positively impact your emotional, cognitive, and psychological well-being.
Let’s learn more about how it can boost your mood, stimulate your mind, and reduce stress.
Emotional and psychological benefits of artwork
Artwork in your home can positively impact your emotional health by reducing stress and enhancing feelings of joy. It’s also widely used as a tool for therapy.
Stress Reduction
Looking at art, making art, buying art can reduce cortisol levels, the hormone linked to stress.
A 2016 study by Drexel University found that after just 45 minutes of making art, 75% of participants experienced a significant drop in cortisol. This shows how even casual engagement with art can have measurable effects on stress levels.
Boosts Happiness
Art viewing also triggers the release of dopamine, known as the "feel-good" chemical.
Dopamine creates pleasurable sensations and improves mood, making art a quick way to inject happiness into your daily life. According to the American Art Therapy Association, regularly viewing art can elevate your mood, enhance self-reflection, and even reduce symptoms of depression.
Cognitive stimulation: How does art stimulate the brain?
Artwork engages critical brain regions involved in creativity, memory, and attention. This makes it especially beneficial in home offices or areas where mental clarity is needed.
Brain activation
Did you know that art stimulates the prefrontal cortex of the brain? This activation helps improve problem-solving, critical thinking, and creativity.
Memory and focus
Engaging in art making can help enhance cognitive functions like memory and focus. As a medium of pleasure, self-expression, and communication, it uses your physical body, your brain, and your emotions to create. All these things help to use your sensory elements to exercise and sharpen your memory and focus.
How art shapes your home environment & wellbeing
Artwork not only beautifies your home but also influences the emotional tone of a space. Whether it’s to calm or energize, art can be tailored to the atmosphere you want to create.
Here are some more benefits of art in our lives and the kinds of artwork that may influence them.
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Reduces Stress
Calm, soothing artwork with soft colors can help lower stress levels by creating a peaceful environment, ideal for bedrooms or relaxation spaces.
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Boosts Mood
Bright, uplifting art can stimulate the release of feel-good hormones like dopamine, improving your overall mood and contributing to a positive living space.
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Promotes Relaxation
Nature-inspired art or serene landscapes can help reduce anxiety and encourage relaxation, making it perfect for areas where you unwind, like the living room or bathroom.
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Enhances Focus and Productivity
Artwork that stimulates the brain, such as abstract or geometric designs, can enhance focus and clarity, making it ideal for home offices or study areas.
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Improves Sleep Quality
Placing tranquil artwork in the bedroom helps signal to your brain that it’s a space for rest, contributing to better sleep and improved physical recovery.
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Fosters Emotional Connection
Personal or meaningful artwork in shared spaces can evoke feelings of comfort and belonging, enhancing emotional well-being and creating a more supportive home atmosphere.
Strategically placing artwork in your home adds balance and harmony to rooms, turning a simple living space into an inviting and emotionally engaging environment.
For instance, calming abstract pieces in soft blues and greens might suit a bedroom or relaxation space, while vibrant, energetic art works well in social areas like the living room or kitchen.