Hey there,
Jimi, everyone has
some form of artistic talent.
Some people feel the urge to write, paint, or draw, while others need to play music or dance.
Art is the most basic expression of humanity, a way to make sense of emotions that we can’t understand and let out the innate expressiveness within each and every one of us.
And, it turns out, it’s also amazing for your brain. Not only can it engage your innate creativity, curiosity, and imagination, but it can even stave off aging and neurodegeneration!
Artistic expression in all its forms have been shown to counteract and slow the degeneration of the human brain.
Music therapy, for example, “uses standardized, research-based techniques to treat the brain using specific elements of music such as rhythm, melody, dynamics, tempo, etc.” It can actually optimize brain functions and rewrite the pathways in your brain in order to facilitate more efficient communication between your neurons—aka,
improve brain function.
Music therapy has been proven effective at improve speech, cognition, and prime motor function, counteracting the degeneration common with Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and other neurological conditions.
Art therapy has also been proven effective at slowing down—or even reversing, in some small measure—neurodegeneration.
In one study, 42 Parkinson’s patients were given art therapy, and over the course of the 20 sessions, saw improved cognition, mood, interpersonal functioning, motivation, and sense of self. And, of course, they grew more adept at artistically expressing themselves—their thoughts and feelings—which also aided in fighting off the depression and other psychological issues that accompany neurodegeneration.
One 2009 documentary, titled “I Remember Better When I Paint”, highlighted the power of art in not only improving neurological function in aging adults (including those suffering from neurodegenerative conditions), but also in reducing anxiety, apathy, aggression, confusion, and loss of identity. It contributes to a better quality of life overall.
An article on the Lesley University website shares a number of ways art can help people with memory loss:
- Help them stay connected with the world around them, especially as they begin to lose bits and pieces of that world.
- Creates an outlet for communication and self-expression, which is crucial when you’re losing your understanding of who you are and have no way to express it.
- Create new memories and express feelings.
- Reduce agitation and anxiety.
- Help them manage the complex emotions that accompany memory loss and neurodegeneration.
Dance movement therapy is another means of using the creative arts to slow, combat, and counteract neurological degeneration.
One meta-analysis of 33 studies concluded that “DMT can effectively improve the motor function and cognitive deficits in neurodegenerative diseases”, though it didn’t find conclusive evidence for improved mood and quality of life.
Research has connected dancing—either as therapy or simply a form of expression or exercise—to a mitigation of cognitive decline and memory impairments. Not only that, but dancing has been proven to slow down neurodegeneration, prevent quality of life from worsening, and improving both mental and physical wellbeing.
It should come as no surprise, then, that my recommendation for a healthier, better-functioning, more gracefully aging brain is to EXPRESS YOURSELF THROUGH THE CREATIVE ARTS!
Take up a form of dancing. Learn to play an instrument. Practice writing, painting, drawing, sketching, sculpting, or any other form of art that appeals to you or in which you have skills.
Artistic expression is an outlet all humans need, and it also happens to be
excellent for your cognition and neurological health.
Indulging your passion for the creative arts today can stave off cognitive decline and improve your mood and quality of life as you age. No time invested in the creative arts is ever wasted!