{"id":48918,"date":"2020-01-29T21:18:35","date_gmt":"2020-01-29T18:18:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lifeadvancer.com\/?p=48918"},"modified":"2021-04-07T20:07:46","modified_gmt":"2021-04-07T20:07:46","slug":"benefits-of-photography-mental-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lifeadvancer.com\/benefits-of-photography-mental-health\/","title":{"rendered":"Science-Backed Benefits of Photography for Your Mental Health"},"content":{"rendered":"
The ever-handy smartphone has allowed almost anyone to be a photographer. This device has allowed us to capture memorable aspects of our lives and see the world in ways we never thought of before. While some people believe that taking photos doesn\u2019t help us to understand the world, science has proven that the benefits of photography are many.<\/p>\n
So, why should we put in the effort to capture the memorable moments of our lives in photographs? Let us explain.<\/p>\n
There is a myth that a camera\u2019s lens prevents us from experiencing reality. Kristin Diehl thought otherwise. The professor at the University of Southern California, USA, conducted a battery of tests to examine the emotions of enthusiastic photographers.<\/p>\n
She revealed in her paper<\/a> \u201cHow Taking Photos Increases the enjoyment of experiences<\/em>\u201d that taking photographs does indeed make people happy.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Her tests revealed that photography allows people to see the world differently. It forces them to pay attention to their experiences and consequently gets them to be more engaged with it. Taking photographs enabled them to become fully immersed in it and recall the event.<\/p>\n
One of her experiments was with a group of Philadelphia tourists. One group of subjects had to take photos with their smartphones while the other didn\u2019t record any images. Of course, people from the former group enjoyed the experience more than the latter.<\/p>\n
2. Other Research<\/h3>\n
Other studies<\/a> have similar findings. One published in the Psychology of Well-being shows how smartphone photography can improve positive affect. The study involved 41 participants who had to photograph themselves being happy or objects that brought them happiness. Photography and its benefits were many, including that of stress relief and increased personal reflection.<\/p>\n
So, what are the other benefits of photography?<\/h3>\n
1. Feeling of Permanence<\/h4>\n
Feeling that something is permanent gives us security. Photographs allow us to immortalise our experiences. How else would your progeny remember you? Just looking at photos of our grandparents brings back a wealth of memories. Seeing how they looked so long ago draws gasps of thrill and surprise. It also makes us feel that we can carry a part of the past with us forever.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, photography captures personal communication that would be otherwise lost. Looking at a grown-up child when he or she was young is a once in a lifetime experience.<\/p>\n
2. Creativity creates a sense of pride.<\/h4>\n
Knowing that we\u2019ve created something ourselves gives us a sense of pride and achievement. Creativity enables human beings to feel fulfilled and engages us in profound ways. That\u2019s why it\u2019s one of photography\u2019s most significant benefits for our mental health.<\/p>\n
3. Stress Relief<\/h4>\n
Like all hobbies, photography allows us to relieve our pent-up frustrations. Capturing the times your pet makes you laugh lets you forget that you\u2019ve got an impossible deadline to meet.<\/p>\n
Looking at the majestic mountain that you photographed while\u00a0on holiday soothes the soul. Gazing at a gurgling baby makes us laugh ourselves. It lets us forget that our bosses just tightened budgets at work. Repeating the process of taking photographs is excellent for health.<\/p>\n
4. Prevents isolation<\/h4>\n
Photography gives us an excuse to get outside. Just the act of going out of the home prevents social isolation and reminds us that we must interact with others.<\/p>\n
Studies show<\/a> that social isolation affects older adults negatively. It compromises health and mortality. Getting out to calm ourselves and take a few pictures allows us to feel that we aren\u2019t so alone.<\/p>\n
5. Photography allows us to realise our passions.<\/h4>\n
Photography is an excellent career for anyone passionate about it.\u00a0We all know that love equals happiness. Photography, like any other passion, releases endorphins in the brain and creates a sense of satisfaction.<\/p>\n
6. Photography gives us the chance to exercise.<\/h4>\n
Photography is the ideal tool for those of us for whom exercise isn\u2019t fun. We will get the workouts we need because we have to move around to capture our subjects. Research by Stanford backs this up. Researchers found that walking stimulates creative thinking. And you have it – the perfect reason for a photo stroll.<\/p>\n
7. Photographs prompt the imagination.<\/h4>\n
Pictures inspire creativity and a host of new ideas. It helps to stimulate thought processes. Our creative mind awakens and we come up with creative poses. It prompts us to come up with new, engaging ways to present materials.<\/p>\n
8. Boosts Self-Esteem<\/h4>\n
There\u2019s no denying the look on a person\u2019s face when he or she manages to take fetching photographs. It\u2019s why so many of us take pride in the image stories that we share online. Nothing beats the feeling of being told that one looks photogenic, or that a sure backdrop looks eye-catching. Photography inspired self-confidence<\/a>.<\/p>\n
9. Photography keeps us positive.<\/h4>\n
Negativity creeps up on us always these days, so we must find ways to combat the toxicity. One is to use photography. It affords a positive outlook on life<\/a> and prompts us to see the beauty in everything. As Louis Armstrong famously sang, \u201cWhen you\u2019re smiling, the whole world smiles with you.\u201d There is upbeat energy when people pose for photos.<\/p>\n
10. Photography communicates<\/h4>\n
Words get in the way at times, so we need a way to express our innermost thoughts. Photography is a way for us to demonstrate our deepest feelings. When we want to share our innermost thoughts with others, we do so with a picture.<\/p>\n
It captures details that we may not have recalled earlier. It tells messages that we may find it hard to send with words. Photography lets others know our innermost thoughts. It provides a way for us to be completely honest with others.<\/p>\n
It also allows us to validate our emotions and to know that whatever we feel is essential. If you want to know what a person values most in life, look at what he photographs.<\/p>\n
11. Photography heals wounds<\/h4>\n
As we look at ways to improve the quality of our photographs, we realise that all it takes for is to improve our situations is a shift in perspective. Photography heals hurts and allows us to find new meaning in our lives. It allows us to see the positive in all things negative.<\/p>\n
Research has proven<\/a> the healing power of photographs. The researchers at Lancaster University discovered that photography had the benefits of well-being and improved health. People who took photos were inclined to self-care and social interaction.<\/p>\n