The Arts Are Good for Your Health

 Creative Health: The Arts for Health and Wellbeing

Published in July 2017 this report sets out research, evidence gathering and discussions with patients, health care professionals, artists, MPs and policy makers. It was produced by the All Party Parliamentary Group on Arts, Health and Wellbeing following two years of inquiry.

I've attended several APPG meetings over the last couple of years and noticed a commitment from all in the room, including cross party MPs, to the idea the arts are beneficial for health and wellbeing.

The report produces evidence to show: "...how arts-based aproaches can help people to stay well, recover faster, manage long term conditions and experience a better quality of life. We also show how arts interventions can save money and help staff in their work." 

It recommends the National Institiute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) includes the use of the arts in healthcare in its guidance where evidence justifies it.   

It also hopes that: 

• New collaborations will be formed across conventional boundaries.
• The thinking and practice of people working in health and social care will be influenced. 
• A new culture will grow that supports the government in the process of change towards the creation of a society which is both healthy and "health creating."  

It calls for "all those who believe in the value of the arts for health and wellbeing to speak up. We will work with all who believe, as we do, that the arts offer an essential opportunity for the improvement of health and wellbeing."  

That's a call out to all arts and health and wellbeing practitioners for sure! 

Contact Alexandra Coutler on: coultera@parliament.uk to show your support.

Reasons To Be Cheerful

It's February. We've already had three months of the light fading early. Some days the weather's cold and crisp, on others stormy and wet. At this time of year it can be challenging to be cheerful.  

Our writing exercise Reasons To Be Cheerful is inspired by the lyrics of Ian Drury and The Blockhead's song Reasons To Be Cheerful, Part 3.

It also fits with the gratitude practice which is gaining in popularity and impact. This suggests writing three things you're grateful for each night before sleep. (Link below)

Reasons To Be Cheerful: Part 1

Write down as many reasons to be cheerful you can think of. Let your pen flow, be specific. Here are some:

•     an open fire
•     crocuses - purple and orange
•     the big blue moon last week
•     pets - a small tortoise shell cat,  a black rescue cat, two Newfoundland dogs
•     turmeric tea   

Part 2 
Pick one and write about it for 10 - 15 mins. Write why it makes you cheerful, describe it in as much detail as you can using all your senses. Get in touch with the feelings it inspires as you write. Write about the feeling.  

Part 3
Share your reasons to be cheerful with some one else.

Here are Ian Drury's Reasons To Be Cheerful

And a link to: The Science Behind Gratitude 

This blogpost first appeared on The WordTherapy Centre blog.

The WordTherapy Centre is run by Diane Medhurst and Christine Hollywood