And if you general doctor could register art? This may sound crazy, but it has already been done thanks to a project launched in Great Britain in 2019. It consisted of family medicine physicians, including patients over 65 years of age, whom they considered necessary in a plan aimed at interacting with others through artistic disciplines. At the same time, they wanted to check benefits of art may improve the health of these people by reducing the need for medications.
The results were so positive that its authors called for the project to be implemented in other countries around the world. There are not many such projects, but there is quite a lot of research on the benefits of art in all its forms.
Typically, these studies talk about the benefits of art. on a mental level. However, they were also observed physical benefits, mainly because our mind and our body are much more connected than we sometimes think. Feeding the former also affects the health of the latter. And there is no better way to nourish the mind and soul than art.
Art by prescription
As part of this research, conducted in the United Kingdom, a series of workshops were organized with the participation of Australian scientists. visual arts, photography, dance and movement, theatre, singing or music. All of them were led by professional artists.
The people present on this plane were persons over 65 years of age, who did not have to pay anything. Moreover, the seminars were planned by their doctors.
Before the start of the seminars that were held weekly for 8-10 weeks, Participants were given a series of surveys designed to assess their emotional well-being. After this, exactly the same questions were repeated in order to check whether there was any improvement in this regard. So it was. Using creativity and reducing social isolation led to a statistically significant improvement in their emotional well-being, as measured by a scale known as the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale (WEMWBS).
This, as they well report, can also lead to physical benefits. And the best part is that they can be obtained not only by engaging in creative activities, as noted in this study. Own art consumptionlike another viewer, can also bring a wide variety of benefits.
The benefits of art measured in theater
Theater is one of those artistic disciplines in which the benefits of art can be experienced most effectively.
The practice stimulates memory, increases self-esteem, improves communication skills and psychomotor skills, among other effects. But It is also very useful to use.
These benefits of art vary depending on the type of theater we see. For example, if work makes us laugh, we will stimulate our lungs and heart by consuming more oxygen. We will also release neurotransmitters that induce a feeling of well-being, such as serotonin or dopamine, which in turn have beneficial effects on health.
Theater helps too stimulate empathy, because we are closely exposed to the emotions and experiences of other people, even if they are false. Therefore, going to the theater is not just entertainment. It is also very good for health.
Music to relieve pain
Among the advantages of art, which manifest themselves more physically than mentally, we find music-induced pain reduction.
There have been many studies that show that while listening to music may not relieve very severe pain, it can help reduce pain levels in both children and adults. In infants it has been proven that Mozart’s lullaby This may reduce pain in children undergoing heel screening.
There have been numerous studies in adults showing significant reductions in reported pain. However, according to one of the latest, for this it is recommended that the music be of your favorite artists. Otherwise, these benefits of art are much less.
But music doesn’t just help relieve pain. may also quiet neuronal activity in the brain reduction of anxiety. It even appears that it may help restore effective immune system function, in part by affecting the amygdala and hypothalamus.
Sing and dance, you will notice it both physically and mentally.
Whether professionally, as a hobby or just at a concert, it’s useful. sing and dance. There are many studies that demonstrate these benefits.
For example, it has been observed that both singing and listening to other people speak stimulate the production of a certain type of antibody: immunoglobulin A. This indicates that helps strengthen the immune system. But these are not the only benefits of singing. Singing also improves oxygenation and breathing, so it is very beneficial for people with respiratory problems.
As for dancing, its benefits related to physical fitness and mental health are more than obvious. But it has also been seen that it can help older people or people with conditions that affect mobility, and is even very interesting for patients with neurodegenerative conditions.
This is because simply watching a dance show activates areas of the brain associated with movement without having to move a single muscle, doing so in a completely new way. rehabilitation.
Even more benefits from art: don’t forget to look at the painting
There are also benefits of art for art lovers. It has been observed that viewing a beautiful painting can increase blood flow to the brain by 10%. The equivalent of looking at the people you love.
This may have cognitive benefits that enhance emotional well-being associated with the flow of certain neurotransmitters. You don’t have to suffer from Stendhal’s syndrome to experience the benefits. It is enough to appreciate the art hidden behind a beautiful painting. Even if we do not go into such a trance, we will experience the benefits of art. Of course, there are more than enough benefits for a doctor to prescribe it for us.
Source: Hiper Textual
