Art & Health

Aloha ‘Ohana!

Here is a copy of an upcoming article that will appear in the July edition of North Shore News!

How Art and Creativity Support Health

As we celebrate the Haleiwa Art Festival this month, Koolauloa Health Centers' chief medical officer, Dr. Daniel Lum reminds us that "art and creativity are important to well-being." Not only is being outdoors a stress reliever but focusing on art elements such as composition and lighting enhances mindfulness by forcing you to slow down and be in the present. As an avid landscape photographer, Dr. Lum believes, that "photography has given me an appreciation of the beauty of nature which has in turn given me an appreciation of the beauty of humans. I think that seeing beauty in each patient I touch has made me a better doctor. It also helps In times Of stress such as dealing when with a very sick child, or when improving the quality of care at Ko’olauloa happens more slowly than I would like it to happen. If you’re fishing out past Mokuleia on a moonless night and you see someone with a camera and a tripod. sav hello; it may well be me heading to Ka'ena Point to take pictures of the Milky Way.

While living in Hong Kong, KHC Nurse Practitioner Naty Hopewell studied under a well-known Chinese brush painter who used the Ling-nan method of painting to incorporate the impressionist style of painting with the Japanese and traditional styles of Chinese Brush painting. Naty says that it may not seem that art can relate to being a Family Nurse Practitioner but "it uses another aspect of my brain. I think the creativity required in art helps me be a more creative health provider, keeps me grounded, and prevents me from being overwhelmed in the care of my patients."

At KHC you can count on care that sees the whole person. We always accept new patients.

Call (808) 293-9231 for an appointment or to learn more about how we can help uninsured individuals.

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