When was the last time you engaged with the arts?
That sounds rather la-di-da, doesn’t it?
“The Arts” sounds like going to the opera or a West End show – so in that case, it may have been a while!
A recent book by researcher Daisy Fancourt, called Art Cure, takes a wider view of these things
I’ll admit – I’ve not read the book!
Daisy was a recent guest on the podcast Feel Better Live More (here’s the link)
In that interview, she had a fascinating discussion about how engaging with the arts can help us both mentally and physically.
She gave examples of people whose mental and physical health had improved, just by doing things like painting, writing or reading.
Daisy calls the arts a “forgotten pillar of health” and her book shows how engaging with the arts can reduce stress and anxiety, help with trauma and lower levels of depression.
You could try active arts participation, such as playing an instrument or creating something
Or something more passive like visiting a museum or attending a theatre or live music show.
Studies have shown that people who engage in activities like this – even only once or twice a year – have a 14% lower mortality risk.
And adults over 50 who engage in “receptive arts” (like the more passive things mentioned above) every few months had a 31% lower risk of death.
In another study of adults over 50, those who attended cultural events regularly were 48% less likely to develop depression
Perhaps you could visit your local museum or cinema this week
Or go to a local art gallery
Get tickets for a play
If all of that seems too much, you could switch your morning background noise from the news to some classical or jazz music.
Or read a poem a day
Or visit your local library
There are many ways you could engage with the arts more this week
You might find something new that you enjoy
And also improve your Mental Sunshine!