At aa-tomo TODAY, we wish to share the idea of cultural prescribing with a wider audience. That is why we have launched a series called KEYWORD, in which we clearly and simply unpack the terms used in our articles. By providing background context and exploring the meaning that each word carries, we hope this series will serve as a natural entry point for readers to become familiar with cultural prescribing.
Cultural Prescribing is the idea—and practice—of treating cultural activities as something essential for our health. It helps keep away feelings of loneliness and isolation, and supports a happier, healthier sense of wellbeing. Health involves three factors : physical, mental, and social. cultural prescribing is especially helpful for our mental and social wellbeing. Studies show that experiencing art and culture can help us relax and create new connections with others.
Rather than relying only on medicine to cure illness, cultural prescribing draws on the “remedies” that everyone carries within—such as the excitement of curiosity, or the restorative effect of stepping away from daily routines and focusing deeply on one’s own senses. Inspired by social prescribing and creative health in the UK, the concept of cultural prescribing is developing in ways that fit Japan’s own systems. While social prescribing involves support from the medical side to strengthen social connections, cultural prescribing is a new initiative that builds bridges to health from the cultural side by supporting people’s own cultural activities and forms of expression.
KEYWORD for Cultural Prescribing! "Cultural Prescribing and Social Prescribing" What do they mean?
