Seventy-five per cent of participants had lower cortisol levels thanks to art therapy / Dragon Images/SHUTTERSTOCK
Operators such as Morgans and Miraval which offer mindfulness colouring sessions and art therapy could be doing more than just helping guests to unleash their inner creativity. A new study by Drexel University, USA, has found that whether you’re a Van Gogh in the making or a stick-figure sketcher, making art significantly reduces stress-related hormones in your body.
Although researchers believed that those who had past experience in creating art might have an advantage, their study found stress-reducing benefits across the board.
“It was surprising and it also wasn’t,” says Girija Kaimal, assistant professor of creative arts therapies. “It wasn’t surprising because that’s the core idea in art therapy: everyone is creative and can be expressive in the visual arts when working in a supportive setting. That said, I did expect that perhaps the effects would be stronger for those with prior experience.”
Freestyle art For the study 39 adults, aged 18 to 59, participated in 45 minutes of art-making and just under half of them described their art experience as “limited”. Levels of the stress hormone cortisol were recorded via a saliva sample before and afterwards.
Materials available to the ‘artists’ included markers and paper, modelling clay and collage accessories. As it was a freestyle session, no directions were given as to what materials to use and participants could create anything they desired. An art therapist was on hand to help if requested.
Cortisol reduction The results of the study, published in the journal Art Therapy*, showed that cortisol levels went down in 75 per cent of the participants during their 45 minutes of making art. And while there was some variation in how much cortisol levels lowered, there was no correlation between past art experiences and lower levels.
Written testimonies of their experiences afterward revealed how the participants felt about the creating art. “It was very relaxing,” one wrote. “After about five minutes, I felt less anxious. I was able to obsess less about things that I had not done or need[ed] to get done. Doing art allowed me to put things into perspective.”
It was revealed that the younger study participants had the lowest levels of cortisol. As a result, Kaimal suggested that they may find using art as a form of de-stressing to be particularly effective.
Kaimal, G et al. Reduction of Cortisol Levels and Participants’ Responses Following Art Making. Art Therapy. May 2016
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Seventy-five per cent of participants had lower cortisol levels thanks to art therapy / Dragon Images/SHUTTERSTOCK
Operators such as Morgans and Miraval which offer mindfulness colouring sessions and art therapy could be doing more than just helping guests to unleash their inner creativity. A new study by Drexel University, USA, has found that whether you’re a Van Gogh in the making or a stick-figure sketcher, making art significantly reduces stress-related hormones in your body.
Although researchers believed that those who had past experience in creating art might have an advantage, their study found stress-reducing benefits across the board.
“It was surprising and it also wasn’t,” says Girija Kaimal, assistant professor of creative arts therapies. “It wasn’t surprising because that’s the core idea in art therapy: everyone is creative and can be expressive in the visual arts when working in a supportive setting. That said, I did expect that perhaps the effects would be stronger for those with prior experience.”
Freestyle art For the study 39 adults, aged 18 to 59, participated in 45 minutes of art-making and just under half of them described their art experience as “limited”. Levels of the stress hormone cortisol were recorded via a saliva sample before and afterwards.
Materials available to the ‘artists’ included markers and paper, modelling clay and collage accessories. As it was a freestyle session, no directions were given as to what materials to use and participants could create anything they desired. An art therapist was on hand to help if requested.
Cortisol reduction The results of the study, published in the journal Art Therapy*, showed that cortisol levels went down in 75 per cent of the participants during their 45 minutes of making art. And while there was some variation in how much cortisol levels lowered, there was no correlation between past art experiences and lower levels.
Written testimonies of their experiences afterward revealed how the participants felt about the creating art. “It was very relaxing,” one wrote. “After about five minutes, I felt less anxious. I was able to obsess less about things that I had not done or need[ed] to get done. Doing art allowed me to put things into perspective.”
It was revealed that the younger study participants had the lowest levels of cortisol. As a result, Kaimal suggested that they may find using art as a form of de-stressing to be particularly effective.
Kaimal, G et al. Reduction of Cortisol Levels and Participants’ Responses Following Art Making. Art Therapy. May 2016
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
Promotional feature: Phytomer
As a pioneer of marine skincare, Phytomer represents a story of three impassioned generations and a dedication to cultivating the purest spa ingredients from the northern French coast
Global Wellness Day (GWD) marked its 15th anniversary on Saturday 13 June 2026, with the
theme: #JoyMagenta – a celebration of the healing qualities of simple gestures and activities
that spark joy.
Global luxury hospitality brand, Six Senses, has partnered with longevity healthcare provider,
HUM2N, to launch a clinic at Six Senses London, at The Whiteley.
As part of its first hotel partnership, Mayrlife – the medical health resort company known for its
site in Altaussee, Austria – has launched a day clinic at the Rosewood Vienna.
Premium London health club, KX Chelsea, will imminently unveil its most significant
redevelopment since its launch in 2002 to create an integrated wellness model combining
training, recovery and relaxation.
Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth, on the northeast coast of Saint Barthélemy in the French
West Indies, is offering a programme of ocean-inspired yoga classes between 8-14 June to
celebrate Global Wellness Day (GWD).
Hotel de France, located on the British Isle of Jersey, has created a wellness retreat package
that includes a hot yoga session that will take place in Jersey Zoo’s butterfly sanctuary.
The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi, in Malaysia, has revealed a schedule for Global Wellness Day
(GWD) that includes guided rainforest walks, mindful movement and guided coastal meditation
experiences.
Longevitix, a clinical platform for preventive and longevity medicine, has launched its AI-
powered intelligence system to help physicians deliver continuous, personalised longevity-
focused care at scale.
Atmantan Wellness Centre, an integrative wellness destination in Mulshi, near Pune in India, is
expanding its portfolio by adding a new centre in Hyderabad that will launch between 2028 and
2029.
The Spa Life UK Convention returns from 21–23 June 2026 at Whittlebury Park Hotel, Spa &
Golf Resort, bringing together spa managers, directors and owners for two days of focused
education, meaningful connection and commercial insight. [more...]
Le Atelier by C.O.D.E. doesn't offer a standard bespoke service, it provides a highly
customised approach to designing massage beds and loungers in high-end wellness
environments. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers
COMPANY PROFILES
Elemental Herbology Founded in 2008 by a Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner, Elemental Herbology is a spa, retail [more...]
