When you think about practical ways to destress, hitting the gym, going for a walk, or relaxing in front of the TV might come to mind first. However, research suggests that viewing art could provide an instant mood boost.

Researchers from King’s College London (25 October 2025) asked 50 volunteers to view artwork and monitored their heart rate variability and skin temperature.

When the volunteers viewed masterpieces by world-renowned artists, including Manet, Van Gogh, and Gauguin, in a gallery, their stress levels fell. In fact, cortisol levels, a stress hormone, fell by an average of 22%.

Interestingly, this reaction was less pronounced in a second group who looked at reproductions of the same paintings in a non-gallery environment. Participants in this group experienced cortisol levels dropping by 8% on average.

Further results suggested that viewing original art could have a calming effect on the body’s inflammatory response.

The study’s senior author, Dr Tony Woods, said: “Stress hormones and inflammatory markers like cortisol, IL-6 and TNF-alpha are linked to a wide range of health problems, from heart disease and diabetes to anxiety and depression.

“The fact that viewing original art lowered these markers suggests that cultural experiences may play a real role in protecting both mind and body.”

A “cultural workout” could improve your wellbeing. The good news is the UK has plenty of art galleries filled with incredible works for you to visit, including these seven.

1. National Portrait Gallery, London

The National Portrait Gallery in the capital houses portraits of historically important British figures. It first opened its doors in 1856, and today the portrait collection holds more than 12,700 portraits.

Among the highlights of the gallery are portraits of Katherine Parr, William Shakespeare, and the Brontë sisters. More recent additions include portraits of Elton John and Audrey Hepburn.

2. National Galleries Scotland, Edinburgh

Housing a collection of fine art from the Renaissance up to the 20th century, National Galleries Scotland in Edinburgh is well worth a visit. Even before you step inside, the gallery offers fantastic views thanks to the building, which was designed by William Playfair to resemble an ancient Greek temple.

Once you’re in the gallery, you can expect to see masterpieces, including ‘Olive Trees’ by Van Gogh, ‘Diana and Actaeon’ by Titian, and ‘Harvest’ by Joan Eardley.

3. The Hepworth Gallery, Wakefield

The Hepworth Gallery is one of the finest art galleries in the north of England, and includes artworks spanning from the 16^th century to the present day.

The name of the gallery comes from local artist and sculptor Barbara Hepworth. Hepworth’s family donated 44 working models to be showcased alongside contemporary art exhibits.

4. Ulster Museum, Belfast

The Ulster Museum in Belfast explores the past, present, and future through collections of art, as well as natural science and history. It’s the largest museum in Northern Ireland, and boasts more than 15,000 works in its art collection, including tapestries by Henri Matisse.

Among the events the museum plans are monthly “Slow Art Sundays” where a guide will explore the inspirations and influences of their favourite works, and give you time to fully appreciate them – perfect for a cultural workout that will help you beat stress.

5. Ashmolean Museum, Oxford

The Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, was Britain’s first public museum. The museum began as a building to house the cabinet of curiosities that Elias Ashmole gave to the University of Oxford in 1677. Today, the museum’s collection spans from Egyptian mummies to contemporary art.

If you want to focus on art, some of the collection highlights include artworks by Turner, Van Gogh, Picasso, and Rembrandt.

6. Kelvingrove Art Gallery, Glasgow

There’s a reason Kelvingrove Art Gallery is one of Scotland’s most popular attractions – it has 22 galleries to explore, and is perfect for curious art lovers.

Among Kelvingrove’s must-see items are the striking images of ‘Christ of St John of the Cross’ by Salvador Dalí and James Guthrie’s ‘Old Willie – the Village Worthy’.

7. National Museum, Cardiff

The art galleries at the National Museum Cardiff celebrate 500 years of creativity through a vast collection. It is also home to one of Europe’s largest collections of impressionist art.

You’ll find significant Welsh Art that tells a story alongside artworks created by renowned masters like Rembrandt and Monet.