Jesus likened his earthly mission to that of a doctor for the sick in Matthew 9 verse 12. He tended to spiritual and physical needs, treating physical afflictions on numerous occasions. As Seventh-day Adventists, we follow Jesus’ guidance for a holistic approach to health that is reflected in our healthcare system and health practices with a focus on a relationship with Jesus, diet, exercise, proper rest, and outdoor activity. While there is no substitute for being outdoors and nature, the burgeoning field of neuroarts helps us understand how we can enjoy some of the same nature-induced benefits indoors. (Neuroarts is the study of arts and aesthetic experiences and how they improve the health of the body and brain.) For example, green and blue colors, common in nature, are known to relax us and help relieve stress relative to hotter colors like red, yellow, and orange. Sounds of nature like ocean waves, replicated through sound machines, are also known to relax us. Lastly, aromatherapy acknowledges the role that our sense of smell plays in our health and attempts to replicate natural scents like lavender.
Considering Jesus’ role as a physician, it’s hard to ignore the role of our churches as hospitals. Obviously, our churches emphasize spiritual health and can’t take on the role of hospitals to treat mental and physical health conditions. However, our churches should foster mental and physical health. We do this to some degree with an emphasis on cooking classes and potlucks that feature healthy recipes, for example. While diet is important, we need to understand and utilize other tenets of health for a holistic approach. Your Brain On Art: How The Arts Transform Us by Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross (@yourbrainonartbook), provides insights as to how our churches can incorporate neuroarts principles for a more holistic approach. As indicated in the book, a sizable number of hospital administrators (four out of five based on one survey) invest in the arts because they “dramatically improve the patient experience by both creating a healing environment and motivating patients during treatment and/or recovery.” Maybe it’s time we paid more attention to the positive impact that the arts and aesthetics could have on the lives of “patients” in our churches.
I’m not suggesting that churches become art institutes, though art classes to accompany a line-up of cooking classes wouldn’t hurt. I am suggesting that our churches pay more attention to the important role of aesthetics in health as our hospital systems have done. I’m reminded of a 2012 online article about how the designers for the Loma Linda University Medical Center created it to allow in as much natural light as possible. You can read the article here: Loma Linda University Medical Center lets light in with metal wall systems (bdcnetwork.com). Obviously, it’s easier to apply neuroarts principles when a building is being built; many of our churches, including the one I attend in Santa Monica, are close to the century mark. However, we can retrofit building interiors, while honoring the historical beauty of our churches. Referring to my own church, there are positive elements – a high ceiling to that aligns with a human desire for open spaces and freedom, large windows to bask the interior in light, and a manicured spacious lawn that wraps around the church. There is also room for improvement. We have a red carpet, certainly a regal color, but one that indicates danger in Western culture and is a hot color discussed above. Church pews provide for seating within rectangular and confining boxes in contrast to the openness of the ceiling. Pockets of the church interior aromatically remind one of the church’s age, exhibiting musty and damp scents. All this is to emphasize that we need to pay attention to more than what church members and visitors hear through the sermon and music. Other senses impact their church life experience too, including what they see and smell.