10/24/2025

Five Ways Art Immersion Can Boost Work-life Happiness

Engaging with art deepens our ability to evolve in a visual world

Our search for work-life balance reflects a very real desire: to feel less consumed by obligations, less stressed and more fulfilled. In my book, The Visual Detox, I explore how the images we are exposed to shape our inner balance, for better or worse; in it, I demonstrate how art can gently tip the scales back toward harmony.

Think of visual art as a toolkit to soothe the mind and spirit. Every day, we are inundated with imagery urging us to work harder, buy more and never stop. Art offers the exact opposite. It slows and calms us, sharpens our critical thinking, nurtures happiness and helps us resist the endless cycle of consumption. In contrast to the ever-present commercial visuals found on our streets and screens, in train stations and airports, engaging with art gives us a break. A focus on visual art offers a pause for reflection, peace and connection. 

In my 2019 study, written in collaboration with cultural data analyst Vishal Kumar, we found that 84 percent of participants believed regular public art initiatives would improve their well-being. Over the past ten years I have delivered over 300 public art projects with my team at MTArt Agency, providing "visual balance" for our everyday environments.

Please select this link to read the complete article from Big Think.