In UK there is an increase in the number of people suffering from stress and other related symptoms. Professor Angela Clow, from the University of Westminster studied the stress levels of 28 participants.

They were all under increased stress. The researcher tells us that saliva cortisol levels are the best indicators of one’s stress level.

The participant’s saliva cortisol levels were tested after they spent their lunch hour viewing art. It was very surprising to see that their saliva cortisol levels reduced by 32%.

But usually it would take about five hours for the cortisol level to fall to this extent but this was possible in a short time period of 40 minutes. These people had visited the Guildhall Art Gallery in the City of London and wandered for 40 minutes.

The Guildhall collection includes paintings by Constable and the Pre-Raphaelites. The City workers were also given an audio-visual tour of London's only Roman amphitheatre.

The author of this study says that though cortisol is a very important hormone in our body excess amounts can be very detrimental. This study is an answer to all those people who are searching for an answer to reduce their stress levels.

Vivien Knight at the Guildhall Art Gallery recommended city workers to visit the art gallery during the day to help reduce their stress levels.