Arts and Health: How Art Makes People Live Longer, Fuller Lives

The creation and appreciation of the arts contribute to holistic wellness. They can motivate disease prevention and rehabilitation, resulting in longer, more fulfilling lives.

More specifically, art comes in handy in managing and battling an illness or injury, processing tough emotions during an emergency and trauma, and even physically recovering from injury or disease.

This article will explore how art makes people live longer.

The Science Behind Artists Living Longer

Even after controlling for a wide range of other health and socioeconomic variables, one study in England found that adults over 50 who habitually indulged in art activities were 31% less likely to die during 14 years than those who did not.

Furthermore, even those who merely participated in arts-related activities once or twice a year had a 14% lower risk of dying during the research duration.

Notably, the study's findings back up prior research suggesting that the arts can help people live longer by boosting mental health, increasing social capital, and lowering loneliness and inactive behavior.

Now the question remains: How?

How Does Art Make People Live Longer?

While the study remains inconclusive as it is still possible the association presented could result from unknown confounding factors, no one can deny the beneficial qualities of the arts to health. With that, here are ways how the arts affect longevity.

"Free"

Art Boosts the Brain

To begin, writing things down may improve memory and learning. However, writing is not the only way to boost your brain. Individuals who have received musical training, such as those trained to play an instrument, have better brain connectivity between the two hemispheres.

Furthermore, a past study suggested that older people encouraged to partake in theatrical performances had greater psychological well-being and better cognitive functioning after four weeks.

Art Improves Mental Health

Drawing, painting, or modeling clay pieces has been clinically demonstrated to assist people in coping with many types of trauma.

Moreover, writing, particularly expressive writing, which demands participants to describe an experience and explain how it affected them, can aid in the recovery from trauma and the management of negative emotions.

Thus, art is beneficial because it improves people's mental health by providing many outlets for healthy, productive coping.

Art Provides Physical Health Benefits

The benefits of art do not end with simple sitting or standing activities: Creativity can also be a very dynamic activity with its advantages.

Dancing, for example, can be a pleasant way to maintain or get in shape. Recent research shows that Zumba classes lower blood pressure and triglyceride levels, and prior studies have connected aerobic dance to better weight management.

Although commonly taken as a form of expression, which is to say that dancing cannot combine self-expression and health aspiration?

Conclusion

As young people would say, the earth without art is simply "eh." More than keeping all of a person's senses entertained, art has its way of promoting longevity.

From creating art through journaling, smudging paint, playing the guitar to consuming them by museum hopping, visiting theaters and films, and attending concerts, there is an art outlet that will suit your lifestyle. Welcome more art into your life to live a fuller, longer life.