I know many of you who read and also comment on this blog are creative, and I do always enjoy visiting the many bloggers who feature and enjoy art. Did you know that there is growing evidence that creativity can boost your health?
"How to extend and improve your life by getting more creative
Growing evidence reveals that creativity is one of the best-kept secrets for boosting your health. From live theatre to a quick crafting break, here’s how to harness the power of art in your everyday life.
Cut your sugar, get some exercise, stop smoking, eat your vegetables, take supplements, don’t stress, sleep well. Every day, we are bombarded with information about how to live longer, healthier, happier lives. But there is one crucial piece of health advice I bet you have never been given. It’s probably the most enjoyable health tip you could be told, but the data supporting it has – to date – remained a bizarrely well-kept secret: engage in the arts.
Over the past few decades, evidence has been accumulating to suggest that being more creative works wonders for our health. Programmes being developed around the world are starting to integrate the arts into healthcare, with astonishing results, from music in surgery reducing the amount of sedatives, opioids and anti-anxiety meds needed, to dance programmes helping people with Parkinson’s disease to walk.
But the arts aren’t just there for us when we are sick. Crafts, singing, theatre, dance, reading, writing and drawing are inherently good for us as part of our day-to-day lives, even if thoughts about our health are far from our minds."
Words above seen here and more to read here
Cut your sugar, get some exercise, stop smoking, eat your vegetables, take supplements, don’t stress, sleep well. Every day, we are bombarded with information about how to live longer, healthier, happier lives. But there is one crucial piece of health advice I bet you have never been given. It’s probably the most enjoyable health tip you could be told, but the data supporting it has – to date – remained a bizarrely well-kept secret: engage in the arts.
Over the past few decades, evidence has been accumulating to suggest that being more creative works wonders for our health. Programmes being developed around the world are starting to integrate the arts into healthcare, with astonishing results, from music in surgery reducing the amount of sedatives, opioids and anti-anxiety meds needed, to dance programmes helping people with Parkinson’s disease to walk.
But the arts aren’t just there for us when we are sick. Crafts, singing, theatre, dance, reading, writing and drawing are inherently good for us as part of our day-to-day lives, even if thoughts about our health are far from our minds."
Words above seen here and more to read here
Do please share your thoughts on this post in the comments below ...
Always take account of your personal circumstances, needs, illnesses and medication you may be taking. If you have any concerns about your general health, including medication, you should contact your Doctor / health care provider.
All the best Jan
43 comments:
Awesome post, dear Jan, and I love the illustrations as well.
That's really good advice.
This makes sense to me. Creativity brings joy.
Buen consejo. te mando un beso
Being creative definitely is good for one's health. And it doesn't have to be limited to the arts - you can be creative in the garden or how to do your chores so that they aren't chores any longer etc. My best health advice - go out in nature, watch birds and do some gardening.
...Jan, creative pursuits bring joy to our lives.
I'm not sure if it's the same thing as creativity but my DH and I were discussing today just how important hobbies are as we get older.
I can believe that this is true! I would also include cooking in that list, as it is truly a creative labor of love! Hope you are staying warm and cozy and thank you for all of your creative recipes! x Karen
Great to know about the benefits of art and creativity. -Christine cmlk79.blogspot.com
I have colouring books, the simple children's ones not the "mindfulness" adult ones which are far too complicated. Along with crosswords and my weekly writing challenge, I think thats enough.
That's true, when I paint I forget everything, even my pain or negative thoughts. It would be awful for me not to be able to do that anymore!
Beautiful Day, hugs Elke
Bellissimo e molto interessante questo studio sulla creatività
That's a nice article Jan. Don't mind trying to draw and so on..
I heartily agree with every word of this post. Art (of all kinds) takes me away from things that might be bothering me. Best mental health exercise ever (unless you are over obsessing on something, which can bring anxiety itself!) But overall, everything from doodling to coloring to sculpture, to writing, to painting -- even play doh -- is great!
Boa tarde e uma excelente segunda-feira Jam. O artigo é bem interessante e parabéns pelos seus desenhos. Eu não tenho esse dom. Tenho uma sobrinha, que faz desenhos maravilhosos. Pega uma foto de uma pessoa e faz idêntico. Grande abraço do calor do Rio de Janeiro.
Creating things is my jam. So FUN! Wishing you a yummy week ahead.
This is why it is so important to maintain the teaching of arts in schools. It's essential to start with the youngest children and continue throughout education. Education is more, much more, than the three Rs.
Live theatre? Sometimes I feel my whole life is a theatre performance.
God bless.
I'm not a super creative person, but I do enjoy trying.
The information in this post makes so much sense. My creativity is limited to entertaining where I like to set beautiful tables and make food presentations. I also enjoy creating my blog posts.
There are so many ways to be creative. It can be a fun and relaxing pastime. You don't need to produce a masterpiece of creativity - just enjoy what you do.
Fabulous post. Of course I already knew this from experience. When I worked in hospitals I would bring simple art supplies to patients. Not only would this brighten their days but they actually healed faster. It's the simple things in life, right?
Oh I love this. Excellent advice and lovely paintings.
I love being creative and I'm glad to know it's good for my health.
Avril xx
It's good to get creative :-D
I think I'm being at least a little creative when I write my blog posts. It takes a surprising amount of thinking and pondering!
This is great advice Jan and I thank you so much for sharing it. All the best, Denise xo
I think you are right - a lot of variety is important for a good life.
I'm a reader, a crocheter, and a puzzler...and doing one or any of those things does lift my spirit, which I know affects my health.
Teresa Isabel SIlva
commented on "Extend and improve your life by getting more creative!"
Very Interesting! Thanks for sharing!
Bjxxx,
This is such a true, and underrated piece of advice! I agree, many bloggers are very creative, and this truly does help with lowering stress and staying healthy. Thank you for sharing this, Jan! Happy New Year!
Interesting and I'm not surprised. Being creative is fun and relaxing and that has to be good for you. :).
I think you have to be creative to survive in this world.
i was happy to read this, it inspires me...it made me "feel good"!! i enjoy all types of blogs, i am interested in everything!!
What a great post. It's so good to read that all the time I spend making art does me a lot of good, and everyone else too!
I so agree that crafting for me is very helpful, it is calming, fun and feels good to make for others, and hopefully brighten their day as well :)
A great post, Jan! I don't know if creativity extends life, but it certainly makes it more enjoyable. And there are so very many ways to engage in the arts. Gardening, cooking, decorating, as well as drawing and painting and such. And all of these things take us away from the endless cycle of bad news, so that's a very good thing.
Dear friend Jan 🥰
Hats off to you for bringing such important information to us 🙏♥️
I thank you for sharing links as well because I wasn’t aware of this side of the truth honestly so thank you,you are amazing 🥰👍♥️
Excellent advice! Creativity is good for you in so many ways
I've definitely been helped in many ways by living a creative life! Excellent post, Jan!
Beatrice P. Boyd said...
Some good points here, Jan, about the arts and being creative. Another thing that is also good for your mind is playing games, not so much on the computer, but games such as Scrabble, dominoes and similar one.
Many thanks for your comment which came through on the previous 'Happy Sunday' post ... but I think you meant it to go here :)
All the best Jan
This is good news, that being creative can improve one's health. I didn't realize things like attending the theatre, reading, etc. were also positives for one's health. This is good information to learn.
Muy de acuerdo con este consejo, yo también sigo alguno de ellos. Besos.
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