Study Reveals Taking A Photo Every Day Has Remarkable Health Benefits

Jan 17, 2019 by apost team

It is interesting that in the earliest days of photography, it was an activity reserved only for professionals and the rich. Nearly 200 years later, a majority of the world is carrying around powerful cameras that can fit in our pockets. 

The internet is stuffed with pictures of cute children or pets or with friends on adventures. We even upload photos of our food or something random that has caught our attention at a specific moment. Social media is like an ocean of photos from concerts, festivals and many other events. We use apps to preserve and collate our collection, and we even have the tools to print our favorites in a professional manner worthy of hanging on a wall.

This is sometimes painted in a negative light. But perhaps it is more good than bad...

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A recent study conducted by Dr. Liz Brewster of Lancaster University and Dr. Andrew Cox of the University of Sheffield has revealed actual health benefits derived from taking even just one photo a day. The study in question was conducted at the University of Sheffield and Lancaster University. The core of the research was to monitor participants who shared one picture a day online over the course of two months. The perhaps surprising result was that the people who did this had improved well-being thanks in large part to encouraging community and self-care as well as actively reflecting and reminiscing.

One participant in particular actually mentioned that it became a tool for stress management. When she felt anxious, she would take a brief break to take a photo or share one

Others mentioned that it spurred them to be more adventurous. The goal of taking a photo of day motivated them to go beyond their comfort zones to get photos that were better than the last. It got them out of the home and often resulted in walks that were longer than initially intended.

Participants often found that these activities were great pick-me-ups when feeling down. One person said that when she was feeling a little sad, she’d scroll through the photos she’d taken. Soon enough, she’d be smiling and even laughing and certainly more relaxed at the end. There may even be plenty of other benefits too.

In another study conducted by Laurence Aëgerter researchers worked with dementia patients and found that photographs could have a substantial effect on cognitive ability. Some participants had been unable to speak more than several words at a time and were now formulating entire sentences. They could not only discuss the images but actually talk about their memories and how they felt back then as well as now.

This technique is called photographic treatment. It has a very real effect on fundamental aspects of our brains, and there is no doubt that interacting with photographs stimulates significant neural activity.

Starting as soon as today, you can make it your goal to capture at least one special photo a day. It doesn’t take much time at all. If you already have many special photos, consider collating them through a web service that lets you share them with family and friends. 

What do you think? Are you going to try it? If so, let us know how it goes or if you already have experiences relevant to the concept, tell our entire community about them! Be sure to spread the word about this article - get your friends and loved ones to join the 'One picture a day' club!

Our content is created to the best of our knowledge, yet it is of general nature and cannot in any way substitute an individual consultation by your doctor. Your health is important to us!