A new study from University College London suggests that frequent visits to museums and participation in creative activities may slow biological aging. Analyzing data from over 3,500 adults, researchers found that those who regularly engaged in arts and cultural activities showed signs of slower epigenetic aging.
Published in the journal Innovation in Aging, the study examined activities such as painting, photography, dancing, singing, and attending cultural events. Participants who engaged more often and in a wider variety of activities had slower aging scores, with the association even stronger among adults over 40.
Jessica Mack, a health expert, noted that arts engagement may reduce stress, improve emotional regulation, and increase social connection-effects comparable to physical activity. However, Professor Steve Horvath of UCLA cautioned that this observational study does not prove causation; it's possible that healthier individuals are simply more able to visit museums.
Despite the limitations, the findings remained consistent after accounting for smoking, income, and other lifestyle factors. Horvath's advice: "Keep going."