Why visiting museums makes you happy
I usually write about working life in general, as I’m in the field of HR technologies as well as corporate training and coaching, but today I thought I’d write about something a bit lighter hearted because, well, I felt it would be a nice way to change our minds in a particularly chaotic news stream!
And this is exactly one of the many reasons why visiting museums, as well as historical castles or ruins, or religious buildings (even if you’re not religious yourself), is actually good for your mental health.
Of course, museums can do a lot to support mental health in communities, as explained in this article from the American Alliance of Museums. But my focus is more about the visit itself, as it’s accessible to all, usually not that expensive compared to other cultural experiences (like going to the cinema), and sometimes even free.
In France, there’s an experience going on between the Musée des Beaux Arts de Lille and the local University Hospital to allow doctors to prescribe museum visits. This is now expanding across the country in Paris, Lyon, Montpellier… with the Palais de Tokyo devoting a dedicated space to mental wellbeing. And Le Louvre itself has been working with mental health institutes for years.
As the Atlanta High Museum of Arts writes, museum visits can “stimulate positive emotions and promote feelings of engagement, reduce stress, make you feel connected and less isolated, and can lead to the building of a like-minded community.”
In my case I really started to appreciate art museums as an adult, first when I was visiting places while on holiday, then as I moved back to the Paris region about 15 years ago. Even if I grew up there, I didn’t really appreciate this luxury as a child. Now I try to go to museums and exhibitions on a regular basis. I took the picture above of the peacock illustration in Le Louvre recently, as they had organized a beautiful exhibition on Van Eyck’s “Vierge au Chancelier Rollin” painting below.
But why do we like it?
Of course, we may like to see beautiful things, of which there are many in museums. We also like to learn, but usually when you’re passing in front of a work of art, you may not systematically open Wikipedia to get more details on the masterpiece and its creator. But for me, the main reason I go to a museum is to feel. I want to stroll in the alleys and, suddenly, stop in front of a work of art that struck me. I may actually not be able to pinpoint exactly why. For example, one of my favorite pieces in Le Louvre is the sarcophagus of Ramses III below.
When I look at it, I can’t really explain why it really touches me. Is it the contrast of a very light, ethereal winged female character on a massive piece of heavy stone? Is it about the religious sentiment expressed by the artist thousands of years ago? Is it the mineral beauty of the carved hieroglyphs? I really cannot say but it deeply moves me.
The venue itself plays also a big part. You’re not visiting a museum as you would an office building. Even the most recent museum buildings pay a lot of attention to the architecture and the scenography, but this is obviously also the case when you are “in” the work of art itself. I remember as if it were yesterday when I found myself in the 19th century Lefuel staircases with their unique architecture and modern stained glass windows below. Beyond the admiration for its craftmanship, I was struck by its elegance and symmetry, and by the power it played on visitors that just couldn’t help but look upwards, to the sky.
So it is clear that museums do help your mental health. You’re not worrying about what usually would keep your mind busy. You’re in front of a work of art, you might be touched by it for your own personal reasons, you may admire the unique skillset of the artist, learn about it, or just enjoy a walk in a nice building even if you’re not particularly struck by anything. But during that time you’re appreciating beauty, art, creativity, and opening your mind to all those things.
In short, everyone may have different reasons to enjoy going to the museum. It can be escapism, in the positive sense of the term, because it helps take yoru mind of things. It can also support mindfulness, as you try to understand why a particular masterpiece is touching you. It can be also for inspiration, not only if you are an artist yourself but also if you want to broaden your mind to new horizons. And last, but in my case certainly not least, it can be because of the connection with history and culture, which are favorite topics of mine, and which are why we visit much more when we’re traveling as tourists: we want to connect with the local culture beyond what we see in our daily lives.
So I can only encourage anyone to go to any museum nearby, be surprised by what you’ll see or simply to enjoy being there. Now some people may feel intimated by museums if they aren’t used to going there. This is perfectly normal and happens to anyone. You can pick up a preferred topic for example, or chose to only see some specific elements you like to make it less overwhelming. And you can also join some guided tours for added explanations, and then continue the visit by yourself.
In any case, it’s important to simply enjoy. We’re talking about leisure, something to do in your private time, so you do it for your own pleasure. So just have a great time!
And as we’re in December, I leave you with this beautiful painting I saw in Madrid some months ago.
