Research undertaken by University of South Australia Artist and researcher Bridgette Minuzzo has revealed that including artwork in the workplace can reduce stress and mental fatigue in workers. Working with a neuroscientist, Bridgette’s study tested mental wellbeing of 91 people across 18 work sites where there were no windows or direct views of nature, to explore whether locating a realistic artistic representation of nature affected mental wellbeing.
Existing research shows that experiencing nature through a window reduces stress and Bridgette’s research confirmed that similar benefits can result from viewing a realistic artistic representation of nature.
She said: “Engaging with art is restorative, visually stimulating, can foster creative thinking and also helps our work weary brains, so the next thing is to acknowledge that art is not a decorative distraction, it’s actually good for our brains.”