Learning to Enjoy Art Can Boost Your Health
By Tom Herrin
Everyone knows a few different ways to improve health. Exercise is usually great, better eating practices can have a big impact, rest is imperative. There are some things that may be less obvious but every bit as enjoyable and enriching. Learning to appreciate art can produce some really good results with people’s health as well as broaden their perspective. Appreciating it doesn’t require any great expense or preparation, either. It can be shared with family or friends, making it something that is versatile and available to anyone.
Viewing Art Can Decrease Cortisol
It is amazing when looking at something can actually have an effect on production of anything. Viewing art has been shown to reduce the level of cortisol production in humans. This is huge considering the fact that there is no real physical activity involved. Cortisol can increase stress and affect the production of blood glucose. When it is lowered, obviously stress is reduced. Blood sugars are improved and people can be overall healthier. This quantifies the feeling that art can have a relaxing effect on people. It becomes a real byproduct of the act of appreciation.
It Has Been Shown To Shorten Hospital Stays
Believe it or not, art has shown in some studies that people can have shorter hospital stays, and better recovery from some illnesses, by viewing art. There is something about the human makeup that takes this and uses it. People have been shown to require less narcotics for pain in these cases. Cancer patients have also been known to have better results from treatments when exposed to art for a period of time. It may truly be a case of mind over matter as thoughts actually take control.
Art May Be Its Own Unique Therapy
The idea of art therapy is not new. It has been around for a while. Some of the studies that have shown remarkable results are, however, pretty new. As was already mentioned, stress levels can be lowered. Blood pressure tends to go along with this. If overall health can be improved by being exposed to art for a period of time each day, the possibilities could be limitless. It can be a great opportunity to add culture to family and/or other relationships by adding more opportunities to view and discuss art. Appreciation itself may be some kind of therapy stronger than many other treatments or effectively combined with other treatments. It is well worthwhile to take a little time to go out there and gain an appreciation for it. It really may boost your health.
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic.
