Longevity and the Arts
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Viewing art can stimulate thought, evoke emotion, inspire conversation, and is often a social activity. Art activities are actually classified as “multimodal” health interventions because they combine multiple psychological, physical, social, and behavioural factors.
A study published this month by researchers at the University College of London has shown that ‘receptive arts’ engagement, (including going to the theatre, concerts, opera, museums, art galleries, and exhibitions), could have a protective association with longevity in older adults. Over 6,000 participants aged 50 & older were included and followed over a span of 14 years. Demographic, socioeconomic, health, and social covariates were all taken into account when comparing data.
They found that people who engaged in these activities just once or twice a year had a 14 percent lower risk of dying than people who never did, regardless of the aforementioned covariates. People who engaged frequently (every few months or more) actually had a 31 percent lower risk of dying.
Several theories suggest that the arts could support longevity by improving mental health, enhancing social capital, reducing loneliness, developing cognitive reserve, reducing sedentary behaviours, and reducing risk taking behaviours
And while other factors clearly have a larger bearing on the length of our lives, (socioeconomic status, physical health, health behaviours, amongst other factors), the benefits humans receive from experiencing art are undeniable.