The simple act of contemplating art can reinforce your emotional well -being and social connection, says science

A picture does not cure a wound or eliminate a disease. However, stopping to observe a work of art can have deep effects on how we feel. Can that silent experience change something in our mental well -being? That was the question that an international team of psychologists, neuroscientists and philosophers set out to answer. Its systematic review, published in The Journal of Positive Psychology In April 2025, he analyzed 38 studies with more than 6,800 participants and concludes that looking at art, in some contexts, can be beneficial. But not in any way.

Visual art, especially when contemplated in museums, hospitals or even online, can Activate mechanisms that regulate emotions, strengthen identity and favor the sense of purpose.

The research was led by scientists from the University of Vienna, the University of Cambridge, the Radboud University Medical Center, Trinity College Dublin and other European institutions. The team reviewed more than 3,800 articles and selected those who examined How the act of seeing art – without creating it – influences different aspects of well -being.

What we already knew … and what was missing to explore

For decades, studies have shown that participating in artistic activities – such as painting, singing or dancing – has Positive effects on Health. So much so that the world Health Organization recognized the arts as a key social factor for health in its 2019 report.

But few investigations had concentrated exclusively on the effects of contemplating visual art, A daily, accessible and silent activity.

The review focused on “receptive” experiences, that is, those where The person faces art as a spectator. Studies were included in museums, hospitals, virtual environments and laboratories. Some participants looked at individual works, others toured guided exhibitions or participated in sessions with group discussion. The variety was huge.

The most relevant is that, despite the diversity of approaches, certain results are repeated: Art can induce pleasure, reduce stress, cause personal reflection and even favor emotional resilience.

Eudaimonia: Beyond feeling good

One of the most solid findings was the link between art and the so -called “eudaimonia”, a deeper type of well -being that goes beyond simple happiness.

Eudaimonia is related to have a purpose in life, develop identity and experience personal growth, And it was the domain of well -being with more consistent results.

The researchers found that looking at art can facilitate experiences of meaning, reflection on oneself and even moments of personal transformation. Unlike hedonic well -being, which is based on momentary pleasant emotions, Eudaimonia is linked to more durable processes.

The weakest effects were recorded in domains such as pain relief or social welfare, where the evidence was less conclusive or void. The urgent need for studies with better more solid controls and designs was also highlighted.

Five paths by which art can influence your well -being

The review proposes five main mechanisms through which looking at art could generate benefits:

1. Affective processessuch as emotional regulation, positive distraction or evocation of pleasure.
2. Cognitive processesincluding mental stimulation, reinterpretation and exploration of new perspectives.
3. Social processeswhich appear especially in group contexts, promoting connection and empathy.
4. Transformation of the selfsuch as the affirmation of the identity or the reconstruction of personal meaning.
5. Resilience promotionincluding psychological restoration or the adoption of healthy behaviors.

These paths They are not independent: They can reinforce each other depending on the context, the type of art and the person who contemplates it.

The authors emphasize that it is not enough to say that art “does well.” It is necessary to understand as, when y for whom He does it. And that understanding depends on observing the specific ingredients of each artistic experience.

Does the place and the way we see art matter?

Yes. The evidence shows that the context where a work is contemplated directly influences the effects. Seeing art in a museum, on a screen or in a hospital room can cause very different responses.

In clinical environments, for example, it was observed that art could soften hospital experience and foster the autonomy of the patient.

It was also found that walking through corridors with exposed art increased the Patient wandering timewhich contributes to physical recovery.

On the other hand, art seen in group can cause greater social interactionwhile art in solitude can favor the introspection.

However, many interventions lack detailed descriptions. Therefore, the authors propose a set of guides called Raarar (Receptive Art Activity Research Reporting Guidelines) to standardize how the experiences of Artistic contemplation.

The importance of the type of art and emotional experience

Not all works generate the same effects. Figurative paintings, natural scenes and classical works tend to provoke positive responses more frequent.

However, contemporary art, more abstract or challenging, can have a unique value when activating reflexive processes and invite reinterpretation.

Many studies also suggest that art can cause complex, mixed emotions, and that even sad or disturbing art can fulfill a therapeutic function when it allows processing difficult emotions In a safe environment.

The key seems to be allowing The viewer connects significantly With the work, without imposing a specific way of feeling or understanding what he sees.

A daily resource, still little used

One of the most prominent advantages of visual art is its accessibility. Unlike other activities that require skills or resources, looking at art can be done under costfrom home or in public spaces.

Seeing art is a Self -care form that can easily integrate into daily life and that, according to this study, has a potential to support emotional and mental health.

The authors of the study call to consider art not only as entertainment or cultural luxury, but as a Public Health Tool.

For that, they propose more rigorous studies, with better controls and objective measures, that allow designing effective programs for various population groups.

Looking at art is more than looking

This systematic analysis offers the most complete evidence to date on Effects of visual art In human well -being.

Although they are still empty to fill, the message is clear: looking at art can be a transformative experience, as long as it is designed and understood with intention.

In front of a world that requires constant productivity, Stop to contemplate a work can be a small interior revolution. Perhaps that is why, in that pause, inhabit the possibility of feeling more human.