We all know that calm landscape and nature photographs are beautiful but did you know that they can also help with the healing process after traumas and  metal health issues. Recently, a study has been done by Dr Dacher Keltner of California University in Berkeley on the positive impact of the Immune System and visual arts, such as nature photographs. The Study is called Positive Affect and Markers of Inflammation: Discrete Positive Emotions Predict Lower Levels of Inflammatory Cytokines. Dr. Keltner states “That awe, wonder and beauty promote healthier levels of cytokines which suggests the things we do to experience these emotions – a walk in nature, losing oneself in music, beholding art – has a direct influence upon health and life expectancy.”

When the viewer is experiencing the beauty in art or nature the research shows that  the viewer had healthier levels of cytokines; are chemicals that help the body fight infection, disease and trauma.

Positive Affect and Markers of Inflammation: Discrete Positive Emotions Predict Lower Levels of Inflammatory Cytokines. It was published in the journal Emotion January 19, 2015

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