Susan and Ivy want to show the huge impact the arts can have on physical and mental health (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

It sounds almost unbelievable, but engaging in an arts project for 45 minutes can not only make you happier, but also extend your life by ten years.

‘People who engaged in the arts were found to have lower mental distress, better mental functioning, and improved quality of life, says Susan Magsamen, co-author of a new New York best-selling book Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us, which she wrote with with Ivy Ross.

Their book discusses the power of neuroaesthetics to improve your physical and mental health. Also called neuro arts, neuroaesthetics is the study of how the arts change your brain and body, and how this knowledge can be used to advance health and well-being.

‘We’ve been optimising for productivity since the Industrial Revolution and we push the arts aside as a “nice to have”,’ says Susan.

‘Now, science is showing it’s as important as exercise or sleep. And when you take that time – 20 minutes, 30 minutes a day – to play with any one of these art activities – from theatre, painting, working with clay, and dancing to singing, writing, humming and doodling, it will have a massive impact on your physical and psychological health.’

Here we talk to Susan and Ivy about happiness and the arts.

How do the arts make us happier?

Simple, quick, accessible ‘acts of art’ can enhance your happiness. In the same way you might exercise to lower cholesterol and increase serotonin in the brain, just twenty minutes of doodling or humming can provide immediate support for your physical and mental state. In fact, so many studies have shown the swift physiological benefits to our health from the arts and aesthetics that we debated calling our new book Twenty Minutes on Art.

How do the arts help with stress?

There are so many ways. For example, sound vibration has the capacity to return the body to homeostasis and out of a fight-flight-freeze reaction. Research is showing that personalized microdosing of aesthetics such as smelling certain scents relieves stress, light sources are being calibrated to relieve a headache, and personalised musical playlists are reducing anxiety. But it’s not just psychological health – it will have a massive impact on your physical health too.

In what way?

From everyday aches and pains to serious illness, this alchemy of art and science is transforming our biology in ways that are both measurable and effective.

We’re now at the point where doctors, as well as social workers and public health practitioners, know enough to be able to recommend various artistic endeavours to effect our physical and mental health.

For example, research is showing that one or more art experiences a month can extend your life by ten years. We are learning how the arts and aesthetic experiences alter a complex physiological network of interconnected systems including neuronal, psychological, immune and endocrine, circulatory, respiratory and higher order brain systems like the cognitive, affective, reward and motor systems.

You’ve also written about how it helps with childhood development

Yes, data indicated that children who participated regularly in arts are less likely to develop social issues in their teenage years. Arts-engaged kids have few problems with their peers, teachers, and adults and are less likely to develop depression. Overall, they are more likely to live healthier and make better decisions.

What if you’re no good at singing, painting or writing?

Researchers have debunked a huge myth: you don’t have to be good at art or a skilled artist for the arts to have a significant impact. Making and beholding the arts is not dependent on resources, age, or ability. You can hum, doodle, write, read, listen to music, or colour – and you don’t have to be good at it. It’s the process, not the outcome that makes the difference. Studies show that those of us who are engaged in the arts and crafts have lower levels of mental distress, and we are also experiencing higher levels of mental functioning and life satisfaction.

Where do we start?

Something as simple as doodling activates the prefrontal cortex, the area of the brain that helps us focus and find meaning in sensory information. It increases blood flow and triggers feelings of pleasure and reward. It turns out that doodlers are more analytical, retain information better, and are better focused than their non-doodling colleagues. Studies show that dancing for even just 15 minutes reduces stress, anxiety, and depression, and increases feel-good hormones, including endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine. Dancing is highly effective in creating new neural connections.

Research is proving that the process of painting and drawing enhances self-knowledge and these insights transfer to other areas of our lives. Some examples include: first responders and active military doing woodworking and welding to confront symptoms of PTSD and ongoing trauma. College students are forming knitting circles, resulting in stronger social connections, maintaining focus, reducing anxiety, and managing stress.

What’s the future for neuro arts?

We are standing on the verge of a cultural shift in which the arts can deliver potent, accessible, proven health and well-being solutions to billions of people. We’re working with businesses, education, with hospital planners, and city planners, healthcare both for diagnostics for intervention and prevention. We want to spread the word because using art to improve your life is immediate, immersive and sustainable. We’re launching The Arts Blueprint: a neuroarts coalition with over 150 communities around the world that brings researchers, healthcare, education, businesses, and communities together.

What is your long-term goal?

It won’t happen quickly, but our long-term goal is to have the arts recognised and integrated as a core part of mainstream medicine and public health.

How will you do that?

To bring neuroarts into the mainstream, we need a community of people who believe in the power of the arts to transform health and well-being. Whatever your background, knowledge, and experience, we welcome your interest and value your contributions.

And consider how you can bring neuroarts into your own work and the work of your field and institution. Together, we can pursue common goals, build knowledge and translate it into action. We won’t move forward without you. Do get in touch!

Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us is out now by Ivy Ross and Susan Magsamen.

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Making art – even if you’re really bad at it – can have huge benefits on your physical and mental health.