Why looking at art is good for you — according to psychology
If you are my generation, you probably played The Sims when you were little. Do you remember that one of the basic needs of the Sims was beauty? If a Sim had nothing nice to look at, it would become unhappy and stressed. As a child, I thought this was very strange. I didn't really understand it.
As I grew up, especially during my years studying psychology, I realized The Sims had it exactly right.
We have always known that art has a powerful effect on us. However, in recent decades, psychology and neuroscience have provided strong evidence for why art matters.
Your nervous system reacts to what you see
The visual surroundings around us directly affect how the nervous system functions. One of the most famous studies by environmental psychologist Roger Ulrich, published in Science in 1984, found that surgical patients with a view of trees recovered faster and needed less pain medication than those who faced a brick wall. What we see is not neutral. Calm and beautiful spaces tend to make us feel safe, which affects our bodies.
Art slows down the mind
Looking at art—in a focused way, not just a quick glance—demands a different kind of attention than what we use most of the time. Psychologists Rachel and Stephen Kaplan referred to this as soft fascination. It’s a relaxed, restorative form of attention that helps our tired minds recover. Their Attention Restoration Theory, developed in 1995, explains why spending time in nature restores our focus. Further research has shown that even looking at images of nature can improve attention (Berman, Jonides & Kaplan, 2008).
A painting can provide a similar experience: a place for the eyes to rest and a chance for the mind to regain energy. This is one reason why spending a few quiet minutes in front of an artwork can feel like a reset.
Emotion is the main point, not just an extra
We often treat emotional responses to art as secondary—like a bonus on top of the main value. But emotion is the core purpose of art, and it is where much of the benefit comes from.
When a piece of art makes you feel something—a tightening in your throat, a recognition in your chest, a sense of beauty that relaxes your shoulders—that feeling activates the brain's reward and emotion systems. Studies on creating art show that even short sessions can significantly lower cortisol, the main stress hormone in the body (Kaimal, Ray & Muniz, 2016). This is why it's important to choose art that genuinely moves you, not just what matches your couch.
A daily dose of beauty
One consistent finding in the psychology of wellbeing is that small, frequent positive experiences are more valuable than occasional big ones. A piece of art you love, seen every day, is exactly that: a steady source of beauty woven into daily life.
As a clinical psychologist, I spent years learning what the mind needs to feel safe and balanced. Art was never part of my formal training. This is part of why I've been so touched to see what my paintings can do for people who have them. Some tell me they feel calmer looking at them, that it serves as an anchor, like a small safe space in their home.
Every time someone shares that with me, I get goosebumps. It’s the most meaningful thing I can create.
If you’d like to find a piece that resonates with you, take a look at my original paintings.
— Mari
Sources:
Ulrich RS. View through a window may influence recovery from surgery. Science. 1984;224(4647):420–421. PMID: 6143402.
Kaplan S. The restorative benefits of nature: toward an integrative framework. Journal of Environmental Psychology. 1995;15:169–182.
Berman MG, Jonides J, Kaplan S. The cognitive benefits of interacting with nature. Psychological Science. 2008;19(12):1207–1212.
Kaimal G, Ray K, Muniz J. Reduction of cortisol levels and participants' responses following art making. Art Therapy. 2016;33(2):74–80. PMID: 27695158.
Ready for your own daily dose of beauty? Browse my original paintings and canvas prints.