The Distracting World: How Art Can Be Your Best Companion
We've all been there - mindlessly scrolling through our phones, jumping at notifications, or zoning out during meals. In today's world built to distract us, taking a step back to enrich our lives seems like an impossible task. But what if the answer lies in art?
According to a 2024 study commissioned by the UK government, consuming art can significantly improve mental and physical health, reduce healthcare costs, and increase productivity. This is backed up by studies showing that witnessing paintings in person can lower stress levels - with one experiment even finding that people who saw original artworks experienced a 22% drop in cortisol levels compared to those who looked at digital copies.
Artists themselves are advocates for slowing down and appreciating the world around us. For writer Hisham Matar, looking at just one painting at a time can be enough to spark something within you. Revisit it later and notice how it changes - perhaps its meaning shifts as your perspective does. Meanwhile, broadcaster Claudia Winkleman suggests using art to break free from overwhelm by asking someone else about the piece.
Ali Smith, author of "How to Live an Artful Life," shares this sentiment: "Whenever you stand in front of art, you attend and something in you has been awakened to it." This idea is at the heart of her new book, which collects 366 short passages of wisdom from artists like Tracey Emin and Marina AbramoviΔ. From writers Iris Murdoch to Patricia Highsmith's practical advice on making working life "as pleasurable as possible," each entry invites readers to pause and reflect.
What draws us to art? According to Paula Rego, an artist who creates pieces that are instantly recognizable yet unlike anything else: "An artist is someone who goes to a place where no one's ever been before, but brings back something you've never seen but instantly recognise." In essence, art allows us to see the world from new perspectives, inviting stillness and introspection.
Living an "artful life" doesn't require being an artist. It means enriching what we already have by slowing down, engaging with our surroundings, and connecting with others. Laurie Anderson advises focusing on things that bring us joy and freedom - a sentiment echoed by artists who prioritize the beauty of doing nothing: "Doing nothing is the start of something."
As we head into the new year, let's seize it with intention and creativity. Take back your attention, look up at the world around you, and give yourself time to reflect on what truly matters. Art has a way of illuminating our lives - so why not try incorporating more art, nature, or connection into your daily routine?
We've all been there - mindlessly scrolling through our phones, jumping at notifications, or zoning out during meals. In today's world built to distract us, taking a step back to enrich our lives seems like an impossible task. But what if the answer lies in art?
According to a 2024 study commissioned by the UK government, consuming art can significantly improve mental and physical health, reduce healthcare costs, and increase productivity. This is backed up by studies showing that witnessing paintings in person can lower stress levels - with one experiment even finding that people who saw original artworks experienced a 22% drop in cortisol levels compared to those who looked at digital copies.
Artists themselves are advocates for slowing down and appreciating the world around us. For writer Hisham Matar, looking at just one painting at a time can be enough to spark something within you. Revisit it later and notice how it changes - perhaps its meaning shifts as your perspective does. Meanwhile, broadcaster Claudia Winkleman suggests using art to break free from overwhelm by asking someone else about the piece.
Ali Smith, author of "How to Live an Artful Life," shares this sentiment: "Whenever you stand in front of art, you attend and something in you has been awakened to it." This idea is at the heart of her new book, which collects 366 short passages of wisdom from artists like Tracey Emin and Marina AbramoviΔ. From writers Iris Murdoch to Patricia Highsmith's practical advice on making working life "as pleasurable as possible," each entry invites readers to pause and reflect.
What draws us to art? According to Paula Rego, an artist who creates pieces that are instantly recognizable yet unlike anything else: "An artist is someone who goes to a place where no one's ever been before, but brings back something you've never seen but instantly recognise." In essence, art allows us to see the world from new perspectives, inviting stillness and introspection.
Living an "artful life" doesn't require being an artist. It means enriching what we already have by slowing down, engaging with our surroundings, and connecting with others. Laurie Anderson advises focusing on things that bring us joy and freedom - a sentiment echoed by artists who prioritize the beauty of doing nothing: "Doing nothing is the start of something."
As we head into the new year, let's seize it with intention and creativity. Take back your attention, look up at the world around you, and give yourself time to reflect on what truly matters. Art has a way of illuminating our lives - so why not try incorporating more art, nature, or connection into your daily routine?
like how art can help us slow down and appreciate life's little things. It's crazy to think that just looking at paintings can lower our stress levels by 22%! Can you imagine a world where everyone makes time for their own version of 'artful living'? 
...but seriously tho, art is literally the best thing 4 us rn. I mean think bout it, when u take time 2 appreciate somethin, u r not thinkin bout ur notifications or whats 4gta 
. Its like Paula Rego said "an artist goes 2 a place no one's ever been before" but art helps us see the world from new angles 
. I'm all about makin time 4 myself, whether its takin a walk in nature or visitin an art exhibit. Art is literally the answer 2 bein distracted and just chillin 
. I mean, think about it, when's the last time you had a good cry in front of a masterpiece? 
Art gets you to slow down and process your emotions in a way that meds can't 
. So yeah, art is literally your best companion when life gets too much 
. This article is making me wanna grab some paint or pick up a camera and just express myself without thinking too much. It's like, I know social media can be overwhelming at times, but having art as a companion could totally flip the script on how we spend our time 
. What if we made art a non-negotiable part of our daily routine?
For me, it's about taking a step back from all the noise and focusing on something beautiful or meaningful. I find that visiting museums or galleries really helps me clear my head. And it's not just about looking at art - it's also about being present with others who share similar interests. Like when we're talking to someone who loves art as much as we do, it feels like our minds are finally somewhere quiet and interesting! 
I think it's really cool how art can help us slow down and appreciate life more. I mean, we're always getting bombarded with notifications and stuff on our phones, and it's easy to just zone out. But if we take a step back and look at some art, it can actually have some pretty profound effects on our mental health 
.
or writing 
. But I think the point of this article is that we need to slow down and appreciate the little things in life. It's not just about looking at a painting (although, let's be real, that can be pretty magical 
) but about being present in the moment. I love how Ali Smith talks about art as a way to awaken something within you... it's like our minds are constantly racing and we need to learn to quiet down and listen 
.
I mean come on, 22% drop in cortisol levels just by looking at original artworks? That's like saying meditation is overrated if you just watch a painting instead 
. Artists always say this stuff to make us feel better about not doing anything productive with our time. What about the people who can't afford art therapy or museum memberships?! It's all just a bunch of elitist nonsense about appreciating "the finer things in life" 
I'm so down with this idea of making art part of our daily life 
οΈ! It's crazy how it can affect our mental health and productivity. I think what really resonates is that it doesn't have to be super complex or time-consuming - just taking a few minutes each day to appreciate something around us can make a huge difference 
. And I love the idea of slowing down and engaging with our surroundings 
. It's all about making intentional choices and taking care of ourselves in this crazy world 
.
we're living in this crazy world where everyone's got their noses buried in their screens all day. It's like, chill out 
Laurie Anderson's advice to focus on what brings us joy is so spot on 
. For me, art has this amazing ability to slow down time and make you see things from a different perspective 
. So yeah... let's all take a cue from our fave artists and try to live more artfully, shall we? 
, it's easy to get caught up in distractions like social media or work notifications 
, stepping away and doing something creative or nature-based helps me clear my head 
.
. It's amazing how much happiness we can find by simply being present in the moment 
, I've learned to cherish those quiet moments and let them enrich my life 
. Maybe I'll start by taking a few minutes each day to simply look at something beautiful