Studio Ghibli films and the link to positive mental health

Our family has become true Studio Ghibli devotees over our years here, and we rotate through favorites, from Ponyo to Totoro and plenty of others in between. Interestingly, a recent study seems that they might be more than just great movies, but actually help in improving the moods of young people.

Totoro breads improve my mood, too ;)

Researchers from Japan, the UK, and the US found that watching Ghibli films can measurably improve happiness and help people handle stress, with participants who watched them reporting feeling calmer, more purposeful, and more optimistic.

One thing I love about Ghibli films as a parent is that the central themes often circle back to hope, kindness, and resilience, and I think those core values are helpful not just for kids but for adults, too!