Dance supports mental well-being through embodied, embedded, extended, and enactive cognitive processes. A mixed-methods online study of 64 adult dancers from ten countries found that only the 'Connection to Body' subscale of the Embodied Mindfulness Questionnaire supported the hypothesis that dance fosters embodied mindfulness. Thematic analysis revealed that dancers achieve connection to the body through pathways distinct from embodied mindfulness, such as self-care. Dancers also reported developing cognitive and social skills, including empathy and communication, that transfer to everyday life. The findings align with research on creativity, identity, and community, highlighting dance's flexibility in meeting well-being needs.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Singapore Art Museum rapidly launched an online programme called Unwind with SAM, which paired engagement with contemporary art with meditation to improve mental health and maintain public engagement during lockdowns. The programme focused on the positive effect of arts on mental health combined with the cognitive benefits of meditation through 'slow-looking' at artworks. This practice-based report reflects on the processes and explores the potential between art, contemplation, and cognitive sciences. It outlines the current landscape of art and wellness approaches in museums, explains the philosophical framework guiding the programme, and provides critical reflection and recommendations for practitioners, managers, and scientists.