I’ve previously written about how creativity can help our mental health, but I’ve recently read about a study that shows creativity can also slow the aging of our brains.
Which really isn’t surprising. Physical exercise is good for our bodies. It not only strengthens muscles, but it can also improve balance, develop new capillaries, slow brain aging, and keep our hearts strong. So it only makes sense that creativity can keep our brains strong and agile.
The study found that creative activities – painting, playing an instrument, dancing, even playing strategy-based video games – can be beneficial for our brains. Using control groups and monitoring EEG readings, researchers were able to determine a ‘brain-age gap’. This is the theoretical difference between the participant’s chronological age and the age of their brain.
The researchers discovered that people who regularly engage in creative activities had a much larger brain-age gap than non-creative people. What I found interesting is that dancers showed the largest brain-age gap, probably due to the fact that dancing is both a creative activity and a physically strenuous one.
So what I take from this is that creativity is not only good for your mental health, but also your physical health. In other words, do yourself a favor and include some creative activities into your daily routine. You never know, you may end up living forever.
What are your thoughts on the findings of this study?
RB
I think of the old saying “use it or lose it” – our brain needs exercise just like our muscles do…and how fun that doing something creative that we enjoy is a great workout! 💞
Absolutely, Dawn! Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
Here’s cheers for living forever (in our imaginations) 🤣
LOL! Cheers!
🌞
This makes complete sense and one reason why I run a music blog. Thanks rich for the always insightful post.
My pleasure, mate! And thanks for your music blog…you’re always turning me on to new stuff!
Love this Richard, even if I am not great at being creative, I’m sure even trying can help. I do find pairing to be very therapeutic also.
Thanks, Wayne! Remember that creativity can mean a lot of things, even cooking or teaching (I’m sure you have to be creative in the classroom!).
I hope this is true!
Fingers crossed, my friend!
Totally agreed, Richard!!
Creativity has been the only spark that makes my mundane days a little vibrant! I loved those strategy based video games that have levelled approach. I can vouch for this reminder that our brain also needs a cardio of creativity to stay fit !!!
Have a blessed day ahead 😊🌷
I still treat myself to video games every now and then, but I try not to get too involved or I’ll lose track of time!
What I should work on is figuring out a way to paint while doing cardio. 🙂
Best wishes to you, Aparna!
I agree they are quite addictive…
Looking forward to new artworks 🌷😇
Have a blessed and creative day✨
I love research papers on aging, not because I want to live long but I want to ensure the best quality of life possible as I age. My mother lived till 87 but my father lived till 48, both of them were artists but it also depends on one’s genes and what illness one gets dished out. Still I believe it makes a difference, along with exercise.
Exactly…quality of life is the goal. But I think that being creative also simply makes us feel good. Maybe it releases good hormones in us when we paint or dance or write.
Thank you for stopping by, Morag!
You are welcome, and creating makes us feel good, topping our quality of life 🎶
Oh yes! Creativity is possibly the only thing that keeps me sane 😅
As well as makes my brain more “flexible” and makes me think outside the box.
A friend of mine studied “creative therapy”. Basically helping people with mental health issues with creativity and from what she told me, it sounded very rewarding!
And anyone can be creative. You don’t even have to be goos at it. It is all subjective anyway 🙂
Oh, creative therapy sounds like it would be a fascinating profession. I recently read an article about David Bowie and Brian Eno. Back in the early 1990s, they visited an institution somewhere in Europe (I’d have to find the article again) where the patients were all artists and the entire building was their palette. They even painted the trunks of the trees in the garden.
And yes, it is subjective. The point is to have fun! 🙂
I believe creativity and exercise together enable happier, healthier attitudes. This is especially true if we are creative and active despite premeditated intentions toward longevity.
I do find that I’m much happier and feel better overall when I’ve done my morning exercise routine and spend some time writing or painting. I don’t plan to live forever, but a few more years would be nice.
same