‘Every day we are overwhelmed by advice on how to live better. Art Cure is an amazing antidote to the deluge of nonsense . . . Everyone should read this.’ XAND VAN TULLEKEN, doctor and presenter

‘Elegantly distils the evidence for what we have always intuitively felt; that music, literature, cinema, and art are powerful universal remedies . . . A book for our times.‘ GILLIAN ANDERSON, bestselling author, actress and activist

DIET. SLEEP. EXERCISE. NATURE. ARTS?

Many of us consider making and consuming art to be a hobby, or even a luxury. But what if arts engagement – from classical music to salsa, poetry to pop concerts, galleries to graffiti – was in fact one of our most powerful tools for unlocking health and happiness?

What if art could help you live longer – and even save your life?

In Art Cure, world-leading expert and award-winning scientist Professor Daisy Fancourt reveals the life-changing power of the arts, including how:

• Songs support the architectural development of children’s brains.
• Creative hobbies help our brains to stay resilient against dementia.
• Visual art and music act just like drugs to reduce depression, stress, and pain.
• Dance build new neural pathways for people with brain injuries.
• Going to live music events, museums, exhibitions, and the theatre decreases our risk of future loneliness and frailty.
• Engaging in the arts improves the functioning of every major organ system in the body.

And, perhaps most importantly, how art helps us not only to survive, but to thrive and flourish.

Fancourt draws on ground-breaking research in neuroscience, psychology, immunology, physiology, behavioural science and epidemiology, as well as inspiring true stories of people who have experienced radical changes in their health, to empower readers to improve their own health through the arts.

Informed by the results of decades of scientific studies, Art Cure is the must-read, inspiring guide to improving your health, giving you the tools to write your own ‘arts prescription’.

‘A revelation . . . Could not be more timely, nor make a stronger, more urgent case for placing the arts at the centre of our communities.’ MELYN BRAGG, broadcaster and parliamentarian

‘Fascinating, comprehensive, compelling, inspiring.’ DR CHRISTOPHER BAILEY, World Health Organization

‘I loved this witty, insightful journey into the world of psychotherapy’ – Raynor Winn, bestselling author of The Salt Path

At the psychologist’s clinic of an NHS hospital, Noah needs help with procrastination, Bill compulsively lies and Steph is coping with rejection. Meanwhile their therapist, Dr Natalie Cawley, is dealing with her own emotional crisis, breathing into a paper bag between patient sessions.

In this honest, often poignant and frequently funny memoir about training to be a psychotherapist, we meet the patients grappling with mental health issues. From OCD and addiction to self-deception and toxic relationships, Dr Natalie helps them understand and change these attempts to self-soothe.

Full of lightbulb moments, Just About Coping is a journey into our inner worlds, where the drama of our break-ups, breakdowns and breakthroughs takes place. In times of stress and suffering, Dr Natalie reveals, we are all just about coping. None of us is immune – not even your therapist.

‘Profound and piercing recollections’ – The Sunday Times

At the psychologist’s clinic of an NHS hospital, Noah needs help with procrastination, Bill compulsively lies, Steph is coping with rejection and their therapist, Dr Natalie Cawley, is dealing with her own emotional crisis, breathing into a paper bag between patient sessions.

In this honest, often poignant and frequently funny memoir about training to be a psychotherapist, we meet the patients grappling with mental health issues. From OCD and addiction to self-deception and toxic relationships, Dr Natalie helps them understand and change these attempts to self-soothe.

Full of lightbulb moments, Just About Coping is a journey into our inner worlds, where the drama of our break-ups, breakdowns and breakthroughs takes place. In times of stress and suffering, Dr Natalie reveals, we are all just about coping. None of us is immune – not even your therapist.