Is there a relationship between a museum, tourism and stress? Well, apparently there is. If tourism authorities can convince people of the restorative aspect of museums, art galleries, botanical gardens and aquariums, they may encourage greater attendance, and indirectly help people cope with the stresses of life.
Dr Jan Packer from the University of Queensland’s School of Tourism is investigating how inner-city locations, typically praised for their educational value, can help our growing population of stressed-out city slickers.
“There is a well-documented link between natural environments and the ability of people to recover from the stress and the ability to focus on work,” Dr Packer said.
While highlighting the altruistic nature of this research, Dr Packer also adds, “If the sites are made aware of the different ways in which people use the environments then they can build their experiences to better cater for the public’s needs,” she said.
If a link between typically educational environments is discovered, it could change the way the locations present themselves to the public.
A stronger emphasis on seating could allow people to sit, reflect and relax. Venues could also modify exhibits to maximise their restorative potential.
She said her findings could introduce a whole new generation of visitor – those in search of a place to escape the rat-race, even if just momentarily.
The four attributes Dr Packer said were integral to a restorative experience were fascination (being engaged without effort); a sense of being away (being removed physically or mentally from an individual’s everyday environment); the perception of extent (the environment has sufficient content and structure that it can occupy the mind for an extended period); and compatibility (providing a good fit with an individual’s purposes or inclinations).
These are similar to the de-stressing activities provided by Peter Lewinsohn many years ago in his Pleasant Events Schedule. However, Lewinsohn’s range of activities is not limited to tourism infrastructure. He suggested that for an activity to have restorative powers, it should provide one of the following:
- Being Effective. Activities that demonstrate, perhaps to others, an individual’s competence and effectiveness, such as giving advice, being praised by others, doing difficult things, and being needed.
- Doing. Activities that demonstrate effectiveness, but more to one’s self than Being Effective, such as hobbies or projects.
- Socialising. Activities that provide pleasant social interaction with people, such as making friends, expressing affection, and being kind to people.
- Relaxing. Activities that represent possibly solitary activities with an external focus, such as enjoying the sights and sounds of nature, exploring new places, reading, and enjoying music.
- Contemplating. Activities that represents solitary, internally focused activities, such as meditating, thinking about self and other peoples, and reminiscing.
Perhaps employers could consider hanging art in the company canteen, or relocating the factory in the botanical gardens or a national park.
