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Viewing art in galleries and museums reduces stress hormon level

Posted by (Schwerin) on

Europe has so many art museums and galleries that I find it useful for travelers to know that King's College found out in 2025 that viewing art in these environments have a positive impact on stress reduction. So, taking some time and paying an entry fee can be worth it.

I would like to know if special epochs, motifs or artists have a higher or lower effect.

Details:

"50 volunteers aged 18-40, viewed either original artworks at The Courtauld Gallery in London or reproductions of the same paintings in a matched, non-gallery environment. Participants were monitored for heart rate variability and skin temperature using research-grade digital watches to track levels of interest and arousal.

Cortisol levels — the key stress hormone — fell by an average of 22% in the gallery group, compared to just eight per cent for the reproduction group. Those viewing original art also had more dynamic heart activity - indicating that art engages the body through both emotional arousal and stress regulation."

More details in this article.

Notice: I had no idea where else to post this; I miss a "Health" section in Tips & Trip Reports.

Posted by
16553 posts

This is the perfect forum to post this in. It spans countries and enables all to see if they are not viewing the forum with the "All Topics" view.

And that is very interesting information. I have not followed your link yet but I wonder if there is a difference in stress reduction levels in the cool, calm Courtauld (or it has been the times I've visited) VS the main entrance hall to the Mona Lisa route in the Louvre, lol!

Posted by
1255 posts

Interesting article. It does make me wonder how I would fare in such as study. I don't like modern and contemporary art, just don't have kind things to say. I love the Dutch Golden Age, I love still life. I went to Mauritshuis just to see the Girl With a Pearl Earring and went to the Science Museum in London just to the the painting Coalbrookdale at Night. Absolutely loved the Rijksmuseum, and there was a moment in there when I was the only one there and it was beautiful and peaceful. I had the Milkmaid and the Night Watch to myself. Then the crowds showed up and it became very stressful.

Posted by
4387 posts

I know what you both mean - in my case the relaxation effect caused by Kadinsky or Dali is likely lower than falling in thoughts over a Turner or a few ones from Caspar David Friedrich.

Posted by
898 posts

Mark, I found this so interesting and totally find museum visits, especially art museums some of the best things I do when traveling. I read this right after a visit of several hours in the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston yesterday. We are camping in Austin,Houston and College Station while on a winter road trip hitting presidential libraries and the occasional art museum. The art museum is definitely a chill out happy place for me.

Posted by
658 posts

indicating that art engages the body through both emotional arousal(...)

Are they talking about Olympia?

-- Mike Beebe

Posted by
4387 posts

Lyndash, that is good to hear. Hopefully I will have the chance o return to Houston to visit this museum.

I remember sitting on the high-floor of a very high building and began to starring at Houston skyline through this huge windows because I was nearly alone there. Somehow like a painting. It is more than 10 years ago so I do not remember the name of the building or the high-floor outlook venue.

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