We can all think of an aesthetic reason to display pictures, but what about the health benefits? Scientific research, and the general discoveries of regular people, have shown a strong link between viewing artwork, and improved health.

In this article, we will consider some of the ways art can not only make your home look better, but make you feel better at the same time.

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SUMMARY

AUTOMATIC UNDERSTANDING	ART AND STRESS	ART VS. SUBJECT	BETTER TO VIEW OR MAKE?	ART IN ACTION
When we view art, many of us make an instant emotional connection which leads us to interpret the scene and subjects, even without realizing it.	Viewing art can lower cortisol levels, which in turn helps to reduce stress. Less stress means you'll sleep better, remember more, and feel less anxious.	Research comparing art with simple images of the same subject suggests it's not the just subject that speaks to the viewer, but specifically the viewing of art.	There is some research that suggests viewing cultural things is better for men, while taking part in them is better for women. Either way, exposure to culture is a health plus.	This list outlines just a few of the great art-related programs being offered by, and in conjunction with, health regions across North America.

Not surprisingly, the parts of the brain that recognize pleasure and reward light up when one is looking at a painting or other artwork. However, other less obvious areas brighten as well, areas not related to our determination of whether or not something is "nice to look at".

We also get a bit of a workout in the part of the brain that processes emotion. This suggests that as soon as we see an artwork, we immediately begin - subconsciously - to break down the meaning of the piece, the feelings both encouraged by the image and those being experienced by the subjects of the image. This automatic empathy is a sign of our innate ability to step over that barrier between the real world and the painted one, and embrace the latter as equally authentic.

There have been plenty of advantages linked to art viewing. Another study followed a large group of school-age children, a random selection of whom were able to attend a new art gallery tour, while others who were not. The children who attended the gallery showed improved critical thinking skills, social tolerance, and historical empathy, as well as an increased appreciation for art, and willingness to be exposed to diverse ideas.

When starting out with a high stress level (high level of cortisol), the visit to the gallery appeared to cause a rapid decrease. Where it would normally take many hours for the levels to drop, in this case they dropped quickly and substantially. (The effect was not noticeable on those without high cortisol levels to begin with.)

Finding healthy ways to lower stress is important, as sustaining high levels of cortisol can cause a multitude of problems, including anxiety, high blood pressure, insomnia, and memory impairment.

The conclusion? If you're feeling the burn of the work week, take a gander at some paintings. If you're short on time, flipping through a museum's online gallery can be just as rewarding as seeing the pieces in person.

Another study tackled this query by studying the mental responses to, first, a painting or other handmade artwork and, second, a simple photograph of the same subject matter (ie: first the Van Gogh, then a plain old picture of some sunflowers).

We mentioned the reward center of the brain is activated when viewing art. In the case of this study, that part of the brain was considerably more active when viewing the first image than the second, suggesting we get more - from that perspective - out of viewing art than looking at basic objects.

This could be due to a number of things, including the common correlation between art and status. When we see art, our minds automatically tangent to what it means to own art: presumably that you are comfortably wealthy and culturally educated enough to have access to such luxuries.

Making art has been found to be at least as healthful as viewing it, if not more so. And interestingly, gender appears to be one indicator of which creative route will be more beneficial.

Studies and general observation has suggested men get more benefit from taking part in arts and culture - this includes attending the orchestra, seeing a play, visiting exhibits, etc - while women get more out of directly partaking in its creation - playing an instrument, performing in a play, painting, etc.

Whichever avenue has the best effect, the outcomes are inspiring: psychological resilience, increased brain activity, satisfaction, low anxiety, lack of depression.

• The Michigan health system wheels the "Art Cart" around their health facilities, giving patients the opportunity to choose a framed poster that speaks to them, with which to decorate their hospital room. Landscapes are a popular choice for decorating hospital rooms; they are found to be calming.

• The Southlake health region in Ontario has an "Art for Loan" program, which shows the work of local artists on the hospital walls, both for the enjoyment of the patients and visitors, and an opportunity for the artist.

• A cancer support center in Long Island offers art history and art making classes to their patients. Learning about and creating art keeps the mind from focusing on its illness. Art has also been found to lessen pain, regardless of age or ailment.

• Every month, the Museum of Modern Art in New York holds an Alzheimer's event providing mental stimulation for inflicted visitors.

• The Cleveland Clinic in Ohio commissions artworks for their public spaces, features shows in an exhibition area, and offers audio art tours. They also developed Art in the Afternoon, a tour designed especially for patients with memory loss.

To read more about the health benefits of art, see our article all about Art Therapy.

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