Do this once a month and extend your life by up to 10 years. No gym required
Move Your Mindset is a recurring feature presented by the Mindfulness, But Better squad at CNN. We converse with professionals on how to switch up your approach to achieve a more fulfilling existence.
Many individuals don't typically engage in coloring, painting, reading poetry, or acquiring a museum membership for the advantages it may bring to their health. However, it could be worthwhile to consider doing so.
Studies indicate that engaging in artistic activities, either by creating art or observing it, can alter our biological structure by restructuring our brains and stimulating the emission of neurochemicals, hormones, and endorphins.
As more and more proof emerges that art has the power to significantly enhance our physical and mental wellbeing in measurable ways, an increasing number of healthcare professionals are recommending that patients incorporate art into their treatment regimes for a variety of ailments. These include conditions such as obesity, heart disease, chronic pain, dementia, Parkinson's disease, loneliness, and depression.
Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross co-wrote a bestselling book called "Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us," where they claimed that different forms of art can have significant benefits for our health, including healing, promoting well-being, and even extending our lives. These benefits are just as important as things like exercise, nutrition, and getting enough sleep.
Is it possible that this is the reason why the arts have advanced over thousands of years to become a fundamental part of the human encounter?
Bianca Bosker acknowledged in her latest book, "Get the Picture: A Mind-Bending Journey among the Inspired Artists and Obsessive Art Fiends Who Taught Me How to See," that she used to view art as a non-necessity. She recognized that art isn't capable of providing food, shelter, or protection from predators.
However, she found out that numerous scientists believe that art is an essential requirement for human beings.
According to the author, art has been around for a very long time, even before the invention of the wheel. It was also used as a form of communication before people developed the ability to write. Thus, art is considered as one of our oldest and most fundamental expressions of creativity and human nature.
Bosker and Magsamen suggest that individuals should incorporate art into their daily routine, as per their expertise and research. They provide reasons why art should not be considered a mere luxury.
This discussion has been shortened and modified so it can be easier to understand.
CNN: Both of you believe that creative expression is a crucial aspect of human life. How do you convince those who doubt its importance?
Susan Magsamen states that our bodies are designed to respond to art on a physiological level. When we interact with art, either by creating it or observing it, our senses send signals to the 86 billion neurons in our brain. This process builds connections within our brains that can have a powerful effect on our biology. Ultimately, engaging with art can make a significant impact on the way our bodies operate.
When we experience art, our whole brain, body, and spirit become engaged in a special way that has evolved over time. This incredible phenomenon has the power to activate multiple neurological and physiological systems at once. So, the next time you find yourself deeply moved by a song or any other form of art, remember that an artist's choices have the ability to impact you on a cellular level.
According to Bianca Bosker, numerous authorities concur that art is an inherent human urge and a natural inclination that has aided our kind in surviving. It is incorrect to assume that viewing art is purely cerebral or abstract in present-day times. Fundamentally, art is a corporeal escapade that is applicable not only to music, with its vibrating bass that is palpable, but also to painting and other visual arts.
Over the last century, people have emphasized the concepts behind art over the actual artwork itself. However, observing artists create is a tangible encounter, nearly resembling sports training.
Interacting with artwork in real-life, with two physical bodies present, is incredibly important. Studies indicate that things such as the size of a piece and the way we move around it can have an impact on how we value it. It's helpful to think about experiencing art as we do with people. In the same way that a Zoom call with someone differs from sitting face-to-face at a dinner table, there's a vast contrast between looking at a small picture of artwork on Instagram and actually standing next to a large Mark Rothko painting.
There are interesting stories about how art can affect people in a physical way. The name "Stendhal syndrome" is used to describe when people become overwhelmed by pieces of art and experience symptoms like lightheadedness, sickness, tiredness, fainting, or crying. Some incidents, such as a lady getting undressed in front of a painting by Cy Twombly at a museum in Houston, indicate that art can inspire us to take unusual actions on a physical level.
Magsamen believes that not all pieces of art are uplifting in nature. It is important to be mindful of the sensory experiences you expose yourself to as they hold the ability to impact your emotions, alter your mindset, and impact your physical state.
CNN asked Bianca about her thoughts on finding value in art that may be considered unpleasant. They wanted to know why it's beneficial to engage with art that makes us confused or uncomfortable.
Bosker stated that art's ability to evoke unpleasant emotions is a key component of its strength. For years, scientists have been questioning why humans have remained attracted to art despite its potential to challenge our aesthetic sensibilities. One potential explanation is that we are fascinated by unsettling and unpredictable pieces, as our brains crave the unexpected stimuli that they provide.
There are scientists who believe that art can assist us in combating the negative effects of our minds. It is a misconception that we observe the world like a detached video camera, just taking in what surrounds us. Our brains have adapted to simplify reality, functioning like garbage compactors, which serves a beneficial purpose. By making our view of the world less complicated, we can quickly notice dangers such as a lion trying to attack us. Nevertheless, this ability also presents some potential dangers.
According to certain experts, seeing things is like a hallucination. The things we view are built up through our own personal expectations which filter, ignore and arrange all the information we receive even before we comprehend the whole story. Examining art can remove those filters, startle us and force our brains to stray from their usual patterns. Art resets our minds, allowing us to recognize more subtlety and elegance in the world all around us. This interruption is a generous gesture by art to help us experience more complexity and beauty in life.
Magsamen believes that creating art that challenges us can help our brains develop in ways that wouldn't happen in our normal lives. This can help us become more resilient and better equipped to handle tough situations. When we're feeling helpless or unsure, visiting a religious or grand building can inspire us and remind us that there's something greater out there. Art, music, and design can have a similar effect, changing our emotions and allowing us to see beyond ourselves. This is crucial for our growth and development as humans.
CNN: What advantages do the arts provide for the body?
Magsamen believes that defining what art really is can be difficult, but studies have shown that art has a significant impact on our mental and physical health. Doctors worldwide often recommend visits to museums, engaging with art, and experiencing beauty to improve overall well-being. Art in various forms has diverse effects on our brains and bodies, and therefore, like medications, it works differently for different individuals, varying in type, dosage, and duration.
Medical professionals, social welfare workers, and individuals with roles in public health are now recognizing the importance of collaborating with clients to personalize their recommendations of specific artistic activities, in certain amounts and frequencies, which will result in positive outcomes. Participating in the arts on a regular basis, just like exercising and having a healthy diet, can promote overall wellness.
CNN: What is the best way for people to cultivate an artistic hobby and reap its advantages?
Bosker believes that art can be enjoyed and appreciated by anyone, regardless of their knowledge of art history or attendance at art events. All that is required is attention and a sense of curiosity. Bosker recalls receiving advice from an artist on how to interpret artwork - simply try to notice at least five aspects of the piece, be it in the artwork itself or the emotions it evokes. For example, one may observe that a certain color in a piece could make them crave the taste of it or that another color may demand their continuous attention.
One other crucial tip I suggest is to take your time. Lots of people who go to museums read the information about the art for longer than they actually look at the art. On average, we only spend 21 seconds on a piece of art and the accompanying label. Test out "slow looking" for yourself and take note of the details. Looking closely at how the artist created the piece can help you understand it better and appreciate it in your own way.
In the past, I used to have a ruthless attitude towards visiting museums. I believed that in order to make the most of my money, I needed to see every single exhibit. However, this approach is similar to overindulging in an all-you-can-eat buffet and then feeling sick afterwards.
Rather than rushing through famous works, try to allocate more time to encountering art that sparks your curiosity. Additionally, train yourself to spot art even in commonplace settings by adopting an artistic perspective, which can help combat the simplified thinking patterns of our minds.
Is it necessary for us to excel in the field of art for us to gain its advantages?
Magsamen stated that the quality of the art you create doesn't need to be excellent for it to have significance to you. A study proved that even spending 45 minutes making any type of art can decrease the stress hormone cortisol by a significant amount, up to 25%. Further research indicates that being involved in art-making can improve your abilities in executive function, making decisions, and if you're working with others, collaboration. When playing music, cognitive skills can be developed, and learning can be enhanced. Participating in just one art session per month could potentially extend your lifespan by 10 years. Remember, the most significant aspect of the art process is not the outcome but rather the journey.
Bosker believes that you do not require a license for involvement in art. It is a personal decision. Opting for art means challenging conformity and creating a life that is more intricate, even if it entails discomfort. It can be powerful and uncertain, but its outcome is beautiful.
In Brooklyn, New York, there's a skilled writer known as Jessica DuLong. She works as a journalist, collaborating on various books and coaching aspiring writers. Among her written works are "Saved at the Seawall: Stories From the September 11 Boat Lift" and "My River Chronicles: Rediscovering the Work That Built America".
