Reflect on what might be missing from your life and actively pursue those elements, as a rich tapestry of life and cultural experiences can profoundly improve overall wellbeing and even address ‘medical problems’.
Consciously reframe the idea of taking time off or diverting your attention to something else as productive, recognizing it can activate different parts of the brain, helping to solve problems and foster creativity.
Actively reclaim and bring back downtime into your life, recognizing its inherent value and productivity, especially in an era where technology has eroded opportunities for unfocused thought and daydreaming.
Try to create 30 minutes in every day to do something different, and routinely include museum and gallery visiting as part of this ‘different’ activity to stimulate new neural connections.
Make regular museum visiting a consistent part of your life framework, as people who discovered it relieved stress often didn’t translate that into a new way of organizing their lives.
Make a conscious decision to dedicate time to cultural activities and pursuits, as this active choice can have a profound impact on your overall wellbeing.
Explore museums and art galleries as an untapped wellbeing resource to find a different, parallel way of thinking about life and potentially counteract unprecedented levels of anxiety and stress.
Utilize museums and galleries as a form of ’travel’ to broaden your mind, reflect on your life, and gain new ideas without the complexities of physical travel, by escaping your daily world.
Pop into a museum for a short visit, like half an hour, to divert your attention from work tasks, as this can help you solve problems that you struggled with during the week by activating creative brain functions.
Actively seek experiences that jolt you out of day-to-day complacency and challenge you, as this can be a powerful way to generate your best ideas and foster creative energy.
When viewing art, prioritize your personal reaction and the impact it has on you, rather than trying to decipher the artist’s intention; it’s okay to move on if a piece doesn’t resonate.
Give yourself permission not to like or understand everything on display in a museum; approach with an open mind, recognizing that mere exposure to diverse art can still provide benefits.
Understand that visiting museums and galleries doesn’t require a massive time commitment; even a short visit can be beneficial for your wellbeing and offer a restorative break.
Engage in ‘micro visits’ by popping into a museum for just a few minutes to see a specific work of art or renew acquaintance with something that previously impacted you, as this can be very affecting and restorative.
Expose yourself to the potential of museums of all kinds, not just one type; if you like art, also visit history, science, and natural history museums to discover a wider world.
As an adult, exercise your choice in selecting museums and galleries that align with your current interests, rather than being limited by potentially unengaging childhood visits.
Approach museum visits without great expectations for an immediate profound experience, allowing for a more contemplative and slower engagement where spiritual improvement can seep through over time.
Be open to the complex emotional impact of art, recognizing that even disturbing or upsetting experiences can be beneficial by making you think about the human condition in new ways.
Approach museum visits with an open mind, as the experience can range from laughter and humor to profound or even banal, offering an almost infinite range of possibilities.
Believe that, like music, every human being can be moved by a work of art or visual culture, even if it takes time and exploration to find the specific piece that resonates with you.
Appreciate all aspects of a museum visit, understanding that the value might come from the shop, a cup of tea, or even just the atmosphere, as different people derive benefit in different ways.
Engage in museum visits either as a social experience with friends or family, or as a quiet, contemplative individual activity, recognizing both approaches are equally valid and beneficial.
Seek out activities like museum visits to connect with groups of people who share similar interests and passions, fostering a sense of community and potentially combating loneliness.
Prioritize real-life, analog experiences like visiting museums, as they offer a magnetic appeal and deeper connection in a world increasingly dominated by digital interactions.
Create a structured plan for museum visits: commit a set amount of time (daily/weekly/monthly), research local offerings (e.g., artfund.org), plan with friends or family, and consider purchasing an Art Pass.
Consider acquiring a National Art Pass to make visiting museums and galleries more affordable and encourage more frequent attendance, gaining free or discounted admission to numerous venues.
Purchase a National Art Pass not only for individual benefits but also to ethically support museums and the broader movement of making culture more mainstream and accessible to diverse backgrounds.
Understand that there is a correlation between regularly visiting museums and having a greater satisfaction with life, suggesting that consistent engagement can contribute to overall wellbeing.
Regularly expose yourself to culture, as those who do often become dependent on it, finding that it provides balance, depth, and richness to their lives, making life feel incomplete without it.
Engage in different activities to stimulate new neural connections and pathways in your brain, helping to break out of ruts and foster mental agility.
Be inspired to explore the rich diversity of art and culture available in society, as there is something for everyone, regardless of past experiences or perceived preferences.
Reconsider museums and art galleries as an adult, recognizing their potential to offer a different, more personal experience compared to potentially unengaging childhood visits.