A Picture of Health

As a photographic artist producing mainly seascapes, I am very well aware of the mental and physical benefits of spending time near the ocean.  It is something I feel, heart and soul, every time I set foot on a beach. 

I also know that many of the people who look at my photographic artworks feel the same, describing them as ‘meditative’, ‘contemplative’, ‘peaceful’, ‘tranquil’, ‘spiritual’ etc. This is particularly the case with my minimal colour works.

In recent years, successive scientific studies have confirmed what most of us already instinctively know and intuitively feel, that spending time near water, in particular the ocean, is restorative, stress reducing and calming, in short it is good for us.

But, the power of blue spaces is such that you don’t actually have to be there. Researchers have also shown that even looking at pictures or hearing sounds of the ocean can exert a powerful positive influence on mind and body and are now looking at the possibilities of using VR technology as a therapeutic aid to improve health, well-being, and recovery in hospitals. 

Another study, cited in Psychology Today, has found that cancer patients suffering chronic pain who were shown a nature video that included 15 minutes of the sounds of ocean waves, waterfalls, and splashing creeks, experienced a 20 to 30 percent reduction in the stress hormones epinephrine and cortisol.

People are often ill at ease in clinical settings and sitting in stark rooms with blank walls does nothing to alleviate levels of stress and anxiety but the addition of simple, well-chosen artworks can help reduce both and promote more positive feelings. This is why the choice of art displayed in healthcare settings deserves careful consideration as part of the therapeutic experience for patients and healthcare professionals.

All images copyright Chris Tuff Fine Art Photography

Portfolio: www.christuffphoto.com

Prints Sales and Image Licensing: cbwtuff1@gmail.com