I am thrilled to be part of a program that will soon introduce an art gallery at our local hospital. The public debut is April 18th. Last year we were able to bring music into the hospital and share concerts with patients, families and the public. This year it is art.
According to a recent Wall Street Journal article, In Search of the Science Behind the Healing Powers of Art by Ron Winslow, “Just last week, Italian researchers reported in the journal Circulation that blood pressure and respiratory rates can synchronize with music—increasing, for instance, during crescendos and coming down during pauses or decrescendos. The finding could help guide the use of music as therapy for heart and stroke patients. Other research has shown that music helps prolong exercise by distracting participants from pain.”
So now, in addition to the music we are adding the art gallery. This is part of an effort by a group we call, “The Joy Committee”. We were challenged about a year ago to bring more joy to the hospital setting. According to Artsandhealing.org, “The arts have long provided emotional context for the human experience. Now, research is demonstrating that creative expression also contributes to better health and wellbeing. People from all walks of life and every corner of the planet are expressing themselves through the arts—musical, performance, visual, writing, culinary—and discovering how it reduces the physical and emotional burden associated with various types of health conditions and life circumstances.”
Although art has been a part of every culture from the beginning, we are just learning the science behind why art can be healing. I believe we will soon be able to use these tools as part of our medicine cabinet.
“The medical profession has come a long way in recognizing the healing benefits of art. My hope is that someday the arts will be considered as significant in everyone’s lives as breathing fresh air, eating clean foods, and performing physical exercise.” ~ Renée Phillips
(Aspiring to be a) Joy Spreader
HOORAY!!!!! I’ve waited for this day too … so glad to have you express it so eloquently. I am a firm believer in art for healing – Creativity truly should be a part of daily living. Thank you for your valuable contribution. Mwah!
Thanks for helping to make it possible. You made it so easy to plug into your program. I can’t wait for the reactions and to grow the program.