September 2005
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 Talkback is a
regular feature in laterlife.com run by
journalist and author Helen Franks.
Welcome to talkback 66
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Beauty in the eye (and ear) of the beholder
As I get older, I need countryside. It’s almost an addiction. Has to
be British countryside. A recent holiday in Tuscany didn’t do it for
me. I need the green. On the return journey from Stansted airport to
London, even boring old Essex gave me a lift, despite the drizzle.
I never used to have this hunger. In fact, when I was younger, I
rather disliked the countryside – far too much mud. It was the buzz
of cities I was after. But now the green fix is very important to
me.
There is a growing body of research suggesting that looking at a
beautiful environment is good for one’s health. That old idea of
convalescing in the countryside may have held more wisdom than we
realised. A study from Pennsylvania Hospital in 1984 showed that
patients after surgery recovered more quickly when they had a room
with a view.
Natural scenes, even urban parks, can reduce fear, stress, anger and
increase relaxation and general happiness, according to research in
environmental psychology. People concentrate better, absorb more
information and experience lowered blood pressure when they view
nature. The scenes have to be non-threatening and gentle, not the
awe-inspiring variety, though.
Paintings have been found to soothe and comfort patients receiving
chemotherapy. Can’t see anything by Tracey Emin or Frances Bacon
doing the trick. Constable perhaps?
And music hits the spot too. In ante natal clinics it has been shown
to increase signs of wellbeing in foetal heartbeats. Presumably good
for the mums too. Classic FM radio is always going on about the
soothing effects of classical music, possibly basing its selling
point on research showing that classical music reduces blood
pressure just as much as meditation.
There is more significance to this than initially meets the eye.
Institutions such as hospitals and residential homes don’t always
provide views or gardens. Some have the bleakest of outlooks. But
they could have more pictures on the walls (in the wards as well in
as the corridors). Shops could be encouraged to display window boxes
in urban areas. Street lights could have more hanging baskets. Urban
squares and small parks could have better access and more seating to
encourage older people to use them (at present, 30% of the public
avoids parks for fear of being mugged or worse).
And as for music – at least my dentist has it going on in the
background. Very soothing it is too.
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