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Arts and Minds

Pilot study finds art-based mindfulness activities reduced headaches in teenage girls

30 August 2019

Arts and Minds

Mindfulness grows popular with awareness of its potential effects on wellbeing and mental health – yet finding an approach that 'clicks' is vital to long-term commitment. Researchers worked together with a small group of American high-school students to develop a mindfulness programme based on art therapy. Mixing creative activities with forms of meditation, the students reported fewer stress-related headaches after regular sessions. These colourful shapes – drawn before (left) and after (right) meditation – perhaps show an emotional ‘release’ beyond the circular boundary as a result. One student said her stress felt like was “spreading out and going away”. Keeping an open mind to creative approaches may help as more and more workplaces make time for mindfulness as part of working life and culture.

Written by John Ankers

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BPoD stands for Biomedical Picture of the Day. Managed by the MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences until Jul 2023, it is now run independently by a dedicated team of scientists and writers. The website aims to engage everyone, young and old, in the wonders of biology, and its influence on medicine. The ever-growing archive of more than 4000 research images documents over a decade of progress. Explore the collection and see what you discover. Images are kindly provided for inclusion on this website through the generosity of scientists across the globe.

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