At one point, I was studying the relationship between certain religions and depression and I found that art appreciation has been found in various studies to reduce or ameliorate psychological depression. Outwardly, when we think of the “Hot or Not” contest or May Madness, it might seem to be pointless and/or hurtful. But the question is whether or not there are some benefits. Do boys and men have better mental health by appreciating the women and girls who are pretty? Do the girls and women have any benefits that come to them from seeking to be pretty, by flirting or being attractive?
One “study finds that an appreciation of culture and the arts can do wonders for a man’s health, including lowering his risk of anxiety and depression.” Men who went to museums or art exhibits had a 14% greater chance of reporting good health than those who did not take in these events . . .
I think that there are other studies with similar conclusions, but I have not looked for them in the past day so as to add them to this webpage. Perhaps I will go looking for some more of the studies on a different day, showing that art and music appreciation are good for one’s mental health, at least if that is measured by reducing or eliminating depression.
Here are some results from a study on the relationship between art appreciation and mental health . . .
I will continue to research this topic . . . I did some research on this topic 2 or 3 years ago, and I think some of the conclusions I found were even more striking. (By research, I mean, I searched for and read conclusions and findings of studies.)
Here is the advice from Dr. “Hubpages.”
How Art Appreciation Improves Quality of Life
Ways to Learn what Pleases You the Most
To learn your own personal aesthetics you can try these simple ways to learn what pleases you.
a. Collect images that interest you. !
I’ve heard it from a few people now… stories of depressed friends going to their GP and at some stage being asked, “Are you, by any chance, an evangelical Christian?” Have you heard similar tales?
I’m not sure whether we’ve ended up on any official lists of “predisposing factors” but it certainly makes you think.
So let’s ask a tough question: Is there anything about evangelicalism (as opposed to other kinds of Christianity) that makes depression even harder? Or even, perhaps, more likely?
My favourite blog! Thanks for sharing such insightful and relevant content!