Life today can be fast and stressful. While things like exercise, meditation, or therapy are great ways to feel better, there’s another helpful option you might not have tried—using art, especially photography, to boost your mood and reduce stress.
Photography helps people slow down and notice the beauty in everyday life. Taking pictures makes you focus on small, positive moments instead of your worries. This simple act can help you feel calm, thankful, and more connected to yourself and others.
Mandy Seligman, a psychologist and photographer, started a group called SeeingHappy. She uses photography to help people feel happier and healthier, based on ideas from positive psychology—the science of what makes life worth living. Her work is based on the PERMA model, which focuses on:
- Positive emotions
- Engagement (being fully involved in what you’re doing)
- Relationships
- Meaning (having purpose)
- Accomplishment
Whether you’re using a smartphone or a camera, taking photos on purpose can help you feel more peaceful, creative, and hopeful. And research backs this up—studies show that photography and other forms of art can truly reduce stress and improve your mood over time.
Art isn’t just a hobby—it can be a powerful tool for healing and happiness.
Want to explore more or help spread joy?
Visit: https://seeinghappy.org/about/
Not into taking pictures? No problem! You can still enjoy the beauty of others’ work.
Need peace or inspiration?
Check out these photo exhibits in Brussels:
Steve McCurry: A Journey Through Emotion
See McCurry’s world-famous portraits and landscapes. His photos capture deep human emotion and offer a moment of stillness and reflection.
Amazônia by Sebastião Salgado
Explore the stunning black-and-white photography of the Amazon rainforest. Salgado’s images offer a powerful connection to nature and a peaceful mental escape.
These shows are great for anyone looking to relax, find inspiration, or reconnect with what truly matters.
References
- Kurtz, J. L., & Lyubomirsky, S. (2013). Happiness promotion: Using mindful
photography to increase positive emotion and appreciation. In J. J. Froh & A. C. Parks
(Eds.), Activities for teaching positive psychology: A guide for instructors (pp. 133–136). American Psychological Association.
- Seligman, M. E. P., Steen, T. A., Park, N., & Peterson, C. (2005). Positive psychology
progress: Empirical validations of interventions. American Psychologist, 60(5), 410–421.
- Seligman, M. E. P. (2019). Positive psychology: A personal history. Annual Review of
Clinical Psychology, 15, 3–23.
- SeeingHappy. (2021, June 16). Photographer and psychologist Mandy Seligman
announces nonprofit Positive Psychology photo sharing platform SeeingHappy.org.
SeeingHappy. [Press release].
Picture by Sebastião Salgado