When you think about retirement activities, you may look forward to consuming the arts, including going to museums, plays, dance performances, listening to music, and reading.
There is another level of participation in the arts – you can produce them. You can paint, act, dance, make music, or write. There are profound health benefits to the latter.
Dr. Eugene Cohen did the research through the National Institutes of Health. He evaluated the health of two groups of seniors aged 65 – 90, both of which were healthy and active. One group (artists) began to produce art at least weekly under the direction of a professional artist/teacher. The other group (non-artists) did not.
Over the space of a couple of years Dr. Cohen and his colleagues measured the health of both groups. Here is what they found:
- The artists ended up with better overall physical health than the non-artists. They needed fewer doctor visits and less medications. Their immune and hormonal systems were stronger. They fell less often.
- The artists also ended up with better overall mental health than the non-artists. They had less stress, loneliness, depression, and dementia.
- The artists were involved in more activities.
The researchers believe that participation in the arts helped in many ways. It demonstrated to the seniors that they could accomplish something that they previously had not done. It gave them more of a sense of control over their lives.
Participating in the arts increased their interactions with others. Painters were in painting classes. Actors acted with others. Musicians sang in choirs or played in orchestras or bands. And writers were in writing groups. All of them had teachers. And the artistic activities were on-going.
I can report that being an older artist is challenging and fun. I’m learning to play the cello, and I particularly enjoy playing duets with my teacher and others. My wife launched her art career at age 60 and teaches art to seniors.
What artistic venture would you like to participate in when you have more time and freedom to pursue it?