Art is more than expression. It may support positive aging.
Creative activities do more than fill time. They challenge the brain in ways that may support healthier aging.
In a study of more than 3,500 adults, people who regularly participated in arts and cultural activities showed markers consistent with slower biological aging.
The study cannot prove cause and effect. People who attend concerts, visit museums, paint, write, sing, or pursue other creative interests often differ from nonparticipants in many ways.
Still, the findings support something I've observed for years:
The brain responds to challenge, novelty, learning, expression, and meaning. Creative engagement may be one more way to keep the system active as we age.
