Doing this on a regular basis can help extend your life, according to science.
It can be difficult to make time for leisure activities with today’s hectic lifestyle.
However, recent reports from the BMJ Journal suggest that by spending time attending art exhibitions, touring museums, or going to the theater, you can help yourself extend your lifespan.
Researchers at the University of London shared these discoveries recently. They studied 6,000 people aged over 50 and found that: People who regularly take part in artistic activities have a 31% lower risk of dying early than those who don’t appreciate art. In fact, with only one or two visits to artistic events per year, you can lower your risk of early death by 14%.
Associate Professor Daisy Fancourt, one of the co-authors of this study, said: “While habits like smoking, drinking alcohol are certainly ‘prophets’ of death, these leisure pleasures - often regarded as unrelated to health - are very beneficial for health and longevity.”
This study, which used data collected from 2004 onwards, tracked the habits of the participants and noted their attendance at exhibitions and performances, including opera and orchestral performances. (If you are a movie fan, then apologies: movies were not part of this study.)
The reasons why people who take part in artistic activities live longer are not fully understood yet. Firstly, because economic and social differences matter a lot in whether a person can join in artistic events or not. And even though financial capacity is important, it is not the only factor. According to Katie Hunt’s report for CNN, researchers also observed that: mental health, cognitive differences, involvement in civic social activities, mobility and disability, as well as deprivation also affect longevity.
However, if appreciating art has been shown to be very helpful for easing stress in the mind - then even if you are not Michelangelo - Fancourt can still say that: art is a buffer against stress and fosters creativity to help people cope with changing situations.
It also helps people develop a type of social resource - which is the ability to get emotional support and understanding of emotions that help people live longer.
Katie Hunt said further: “We think that: Art helps to feel more meaningful, so it has an important role.”
While deeper studies are required to verify that connecting with art can help us live longer, this study also gives us more incentive to go out and enjoy art.
If your area does not have an art exhibition or museum, you can arrange a trip or pilgrimage to the sanctuaries dedicated to the holy ones.
Of course, you can also take time staying after Mass to admire the artworks right in your own church.
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