Cover A new study from King’s College London explores how viewing original art in art galleries affects the body and mind (Photo: Chonx Tibajia)
A new study from King’s College London explores how viewing original art in art galleries affects the body and mind (Photo: Chonx Tibajia)
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New research shows visiting art galleries can lower stress and support overall wellbeing
Stepping into a quiet exhibition space may do more than offer cultural enrichment. According to a study by King’s College London, visiting art galleries can have measurable benefits for physical and mental health. Researchers found that viewing original artworks reduced stress hormones, calmed inflammatory responses and engaged multiple body systems at once. The findings provide evidence that exposure to art in person—rather than through reproductions—can positively influence wellbeing, with effects reaching beyond mood to measurable physiological changes.
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Viewing original art shows measurable health benefits
The research, co-funded by the Art Fund, observed 50 participants aged between 18 and 40. Half viewed original works by artists including Manet, Van Gogh and Gauguin at the Courtauld Gallery in London, while the other half saw high-quality copies in a non-gallery setting. Heart rate, skin temperature and saliva samples were monitored over a 20-minute session. Results showed that cortisol levels, a marker of stress, dropped by 22 per cent among those visiting art galleries, compared with eight per cent among those viewing reproductions.
Art’s effect on the body’s systems
Above Art galleries offer calm, light-filled spaces that invite reflection, focus and a quiet connection with creativity (Photo: Chonx Tibajia)
Art galleries offer calm, light-filled spaces that invite reflection, focus and a quiet connection with creativity (Photo: Chonx Tibajia)
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Inflammatory cytokines linked to chronic conditions such as heart disease and diabetes fell by nearly a third in participants surrounded by original art. No significant changes were found in the comparison group. Researchers said the data suggests that the sensory and environmental aspects of art galleries—lighting, space, atmosphere—may enhance the body’s relaxation response while stimulating engagement and curiosity.
Dr Tony Woods, a researcher at King’s College London, noted that art appeared to activate the immune, nervous and endocrine systems simultaneously, a rare occurrence in controlled studies. “From a scientific perspective, the most striking outcome is that viewing original art produced measurable responses across multiple body systems,” he said.
Why these findings matter
Above Research shows that spending time in art galleries can lower stress, support immune function and promote overall wellbeing (Photo: Chonx Tibajia)
Research shows that spending time in art galleries can lower stress, support immune function and promote overall wellbeing (Photo: Chonx Tibajia)
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The findings build on earlier research linking cultural experiences to improved health outcomes, adding biological evidence to what has often been observed anecdotally. They also suggest that art galleries could play a broader role in public health by offering accessible spaces that support both mental and physical wellbeing.
Researchers emphasised that emotional intelligence scores did not affect how participants responded, indicating the benefits were consistent across personality types. While further research is needed to understand how long these effects last, the study suggests a simple intervention: spending time in art galleries may help lower stress and support wellbeing without any prescription required.
Chonx Tibajia is a senior editor at Tatler Asia’s T-Labs team, where she writes widely on lifestyle subjects including beauty, style, entertainment and travel. She has a long career in journalism, including roles as a columnist at The Philippine Star, and is the founder of the creative platform Pineappleversed. Beyond Tatler, her bylines appear in regional lifestyle and business publications, showcasing a broad portfolio that spans beauty trends, travel guides and culture pieces.
