I love nothing more than visiting an art gallery.  I’m lucky to have places like the Walker Art Gallery and Lady Lever right on my doorstep.  When I visit a gallery I feel calm and grounded, energised and inspired.  This passion for art started early in my mental health career when I developed an arts on prescription programme called Creative Alternatives.  Working with a group of amazing women I delivered art workshops and creative outings to help people with depression and anxiety. 

There have been lots of research studies which suggest that viewing art can positively benefit your mental health, reduce stress and alleviate symptoms of depression.  Neuroscientists have even found that when we view something we find beautiful the brains pleasure centre lights up and dopamine, the feel-good neurotransmitter, is released. 

Research by the Art Fund in 2018 revealed that whilst 63% of participants had visited a museum to de-stress, only 6% carve out the time to visit them regularly.  They’ve since gone on to research brainwaves in reaction to art and are currently running a campaign called ‘See More, Live More’ which highlights the health and wellbeing benefits of art and culture.

Visiting an art gallery is an opportunity to press pause on day to day tasks and stressors even if it’s just for a short period of time.  When you do manage to carve out time to visit a gallery try to make it a mindful experience.  Turn notifications off on your phone.  Really immerse yourself in your surroundings and pay close attention to the art around you.  Approaching your gallery visit in this way will reduce the chatter of anxious and depressive thoughts, giving you some much welcome headspace.

I often visit the same gallery more than once and depending on what is happening in my life, my mood and state of mind, I’ll find myself focusing on something different.  I guess this is because art communicates complex emotional themes in a way in which words can’t always do justice to.  Seeing your emotional state reflected back at you in this way can be deeply moving and affirmative.  In this way art helps us to understand and accept ourselves as we are in that moment and reminds us that our experience is shared by others.

You may visit a gallery with friends or family, and this brings in the mental health benefits of socialising, connecting with others and reducing loneliness.  I have a particular friend who is my ‘gallery buddy’ and I love meeting up with her to share the experience and talk about the exhibitions.  Galleries often host a programme of group talks, workshops and events which is a great way of getting involved in your local community and meeting new people.  So, what are you waiting for?  Get out there today and see what’s going on at the galleries in your local area.  

For further tips on things you can do to boost your wellbeing check out my previous blogs which are all available on my website:  www.forresttalkingtherapies.co.uk.  If you’d like personalised, professional therapy for depression or anxiety please get in touch with me by emailing: hello@forresttalkingtherapies.co.uk or calling 07926 485 362.