‘Museum bathing’ can improve mood, study finds

Spending time in a museum or art gallery can help people feel more relaxed, according to a Japanese study.

In June, researchers led by Izumi Ogata, a professor at Kyushu Sangyo University, measured the blood pressure, pulse rate, mood and psychological state of 41 people as they visited the National Museum of Western Art in Tokyo.

Participants viewed the exhibit in silence for 20 minutes, followed by 20 minutes conversing with others, with measurements taken at three stages.

The study found all the people showed lower levels of anger, fatigue, tension, confusion and depression after silently visiting the exhibition. Indicators of being in a more positive emotional state rose after the second viewing.

The experiment was the latest in an investigation that began in 2020, with more than 1,000 people and 75 museums taking part so far.

“Museum bathing has an effect on the function of activating human homeostasis,” said Ogata. “If it can be proven that even a 10- or 20-minute visit to a museum can relieve stress, it may draw in new visitors.”