A Guide to Arts Appreciation for Our Stressy Selves
There is really tremendous research being done in the field of neuro-aesthetics that I think we should take note of. Particularly for those of us who are constantly looking to hack our stress responses.
If you’re interested in really diving into this, consider reading Your Brain on Art. It’s a fascinating book.
Looking at a work of art that we find beautiful releases dopamine. If that’s the only thing you get from this, if you don’t want to make a whole routine or exercise out of it, no worries. Just go view art that is beautiful to you.
I’d like to take you through a few ways an arts appreciation practice can help reduce the production of cortisol, and lead to a healthier life.
1. Reflecting
Art appreciation can promote deep introspection and reflection. This is especially true if you sit for awhile and really take a work in, or if you write out your responses to it.
Art can be a resource in our lives, an opportunity to meditate on a topic, to feel deeply, to integrate experiences. Art helps us process the messy reality of what it is to be human. Treating arts appreciation as a therapeutic modality is very easy as well. It can be done in a museum, a gallery, in front of public art or, my preference, at home.
2. Keep an Art Journal
I used to start every day with a random piece of art on the internet, and would write on it. It was fascinating what came up. I set a timer, and forced myself to write for the whole ten minutes I’d allotted. Not only did this touch on the reflection aspect we’d just discussed, but it also slowed me down, sharpened my attention, and helped put me in a responsive, thoughtful and observant state of mind.
Especially in the morning, before starting a day of chaos at work, this helps create a small ritual of present-awareness. The art journal you keep can be whatever serves you. You can write a reflection on the same work of art day after day. You can pose questions to the works and search for answers. It’s all a dialogue if you choose it to be.
3. Art as Visual Meditation
You can approach art appreciation as a form of visual meditation. The traditional forms of meditating can be very difficult for a lot of people. Having a singular thing to observe and think about is a form of meditating that can be much more accessible than sitting in silence and counting breaths.
Firstly, find a piece that has some serenity to it. It doesn’t have to be a sunset, but it probably shouldn’t spike your heart rate. Sit in front of it and ground yourself. Take slow, deep breaths. Start to observe the work, allowing your gaze to wander leisurely across the piece. Take in the details, colors, and textures of the artwork. Work from one corner to another, or allow your eye to sweep around in its rhythm.
After you observe it for a long while, consider honing in on one specific aspect of the work. Explore softening your eyes, and peering closely. Forge a connection with the work. Allow whatever emotions come up to come up fully. Just be present, and observe all of it— the piece and your feelings, without judgment.
Reflect on Personal Connections
When I’m working with my collectors to help them develop a meaningful relationship to works of art (because it needs to be developed, this doesn’t come easily for most people) I will often help them draw out personal associations. Sometimes this is almost stream-of-consciousness, encouraging them to allow the artwork to trigger personal memories or emotions. These can see random, they can seem irrelevant. Choosing to make meaning of them is where our interpretations and reflections get both interesting and a form of therapy really. This personal connection adds depth to the art appreciation process, and it can be a really soothing experience. We don’t have nearly enough opportunity to get stuff off of our chests, and the things that arise in these arts appreciation practices usually really need to be moved through.