How Art Can Prevent Cognitive Decline
By Stepy Kamei
If you've ever done anything creative (you definitely have), you'll be pleased to know that it benefited your health in some way. Mental health experts have talked about the benefits of engaging with art within daily life for decades. Whether you write in a journal from time to time, attend a painting class on weekends, or play a musical instrument, pursuing an artistic endeavor is one lifestyle habit that can only positively benefit your overall health and wellness. The benefits of engaging in artistic practices and hobbies has been well-known and researched for decades, but it still seems as though scientists are finding even more positive information on this subject with every new test. Keep on reading to learn more about the most recent developments, and why they should only encourage you to allow more artistic expression to be present in your life.
Art and Its Impact On Cognitive Health
So, what did the newest research reveal? Essentially, according to a study published in the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology, people who were middle-aged and older benefited greatly from fostering an artistic hobby. Specifically, drawing, sculpting, and painting were just some of the activities found to be beneficial to the participants. These activities were directly correlated to an overall decline in the development of mild forms of cognitive impairment. Astoundingly, these subjects were 73 percent less likely to suffer from problems such as memory loss, difficulty concentrating, and other issues that can very often lead to conditions such as dementia later on in life.
Meanwhile, activities that were more craft-based but could still be considered artistic, such as ceramics, woodworking, and sewing, contributed to a 45 percent decrease in the likelihood of developing cognitive impairment issues.
It's important to note that there were other activities found to improve cognitive health, such as keeping an active social life and using a computer. However, engaging in artistic activities still had some of the highest success rates.
Fortunately, even if you're not a professional artist, you can still benefit from pursuing artistic hobbies at any age. Consider signing up for a class with your friends, or take the leap and pursue your own personal artistic interests on weekends and after work. Not only will your cognitive health benefit from it, but further studies have shown that people who pursue artistic endeavors also tend to experience better mental health and reduced anxiety as well.
To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Monroe, La.