Culture and Leisure

Culture has a significant impact on wellbeing and health. It provides various ways for people to express their emotions, strengthen social connections, and feel a sense of belonging to themselves and the surrounding world.

How Does Culture Promote Wellbeing?

Engaging in Culture Independently

Culture Companion for Shared Experiences

Volunteering – Bringing Joy to Yourself and Helping Others

Services

How Does Culture Promote Wellbeing?

Cultural wellbeing refers to the positive effects of culture and the arts on health and wellbeing. Studies show that engaging in cultural activities – such as attending theatre performances, listening to music, or painting – is linked to better health, improved quality of life, and reduced anxiety and depression.

In particular, those who spend more than 100 hours per year on cultural activities tend to experience better mental wellbeing than those who engage in the arts less frequently or not at all. Additionally, the more a person participates in different cultural activities, the greater the health benefits they gain.

Cultural activities stimulate the senses and imagination and can evoke emotions. Art and culture activate the brain and provide opportunities for social encounters, which can relieve stress and enhance a sense of control over life, especially during challenging times.

Engaging in Culture Independently

Independent cultural engagement allows individuals to enjoy and create art on their own terms, according to their interests. This can include listening to or playing music, writing, drawing, photography, or dancing. Practicing culture independently gives the freedom to enjoy it at a personally convenient time and to learn at one’s own pace without external pressure.

Engaging in art supports creativity and self-expression. It can also help process thoughts and emotions and enhance self-awareness. Cultural activities often provide a relaxing break from everyday life and reduce stress. For many, it’s an essential moment to unwind and balance daily responsibilities.

If starting an independent artistic hobby feels difficult, adult education centres offer excellent opportunities to explore cultural activities. They provide a variety of art-related courses for people of all ages in a low-threshold setting. Both beginners and those with more experience can participate in courses or activities. Develop your skills, learn something new, and find inspiration, while also enjoying a sense of community and, at best, making new friends.

Culture Companion for Shared Experiences

Culture companions are trained volunteer guides familiar with the local cultural scene. They can accompany and assist individuals in exploring cultural venues such as museums, art exhibitions, theatres, music events, or other local happenings.

This service is available to anyone interested in culture who wants to deepen their understanding and access to cultural opportunities. A culture companion can support an individual (and their possible assistant) or a small group. In some cases, the companion can even pick someone up from their home. It’s worth checking what kind of culture companion services are available in your municipality.

Volunteering – Bringing Joy to Yourself and Helping Others

Volunteers play a vital role in many aspects of life. Through their efforts, they support and help others, provide services, act as peer support, and organise things such as communal work [talkoot], charity drives, concerts, and other events. The boards of associations also often rely on volunteers.

Some volunteers commit to long-term roles, while others prefer short-term assignments. Volunteering often provides meaningful, well-structured tasks tailored to an individual’s skills and interests.

There are various ways to engage in volunteering. Associations, non-profit organisations, and congregations have long traditions of organising volunteer activities. Additionally, municipalities sometimes offer opportunities to participate in volunteer work.