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| How culture could help keep us young |
| Researchers at University College London analyzed blood samples and survey responses from 3,556 UK adults for the study. They found that frequent cultural engagement, such as painting, dancing, visiting heritage sites, and visiting museums, was associated with a measurable slower pace of biological aging. |
| Using something called epigenetic clocks, which track chemical changes to DNA that accumulate over time, it’s become possible to estimate how fast the cells in your body are aging compared to your calendar age. |
| The researchers tested 7 different clocks in the new study, and the 3 latest ones all showed the same pattern: More arts engagement, slower aging. |
| According to coverage on our sister website, Medical News Today, people who engaged in creative or cultural activities at least 3 times a year aged 2% slower than those who rarely participated. Monthly engagement rose to 3%, and weekly participation hit 4%. A separate measure of biological age found that participants who attended weekly were about a year younger on average. |
| These were significant effects, comparable to those found in people who exercise regularly. This doesn’t mean you should swap your morning run for dabbling in watercolors — the researchers emphasize that doing both is most beneficial. However, it does promote creative activity to something that may genuinely support health, rather than just a leisure activity. |
| Another finding was that variety matters as much as frequency. People who spread their interests across multiple types of activities — such as participatory arts (think dance classes), museum visits, heritage sites, and live performances — showed even slower aging than those who stuck to just one. |
| According to the study’s lead author, Feifei Bu, different activities offer different “active ingredients.” Physical movement, social connection, cognitive challenges, and mixing together may deliver the most powerful benefits. What could be going on here, at a molecular level? |
| This new study was observational, so it can’t prove beyond all doubt that one thing (cultural engagement) leads to the other (slower biological aging). This hasn’t stopped researchers and outside experts from pointing to several plausible pathways: |
- Chronic stress accelerates epigenetic aging, and creative activities are well-documented stress reducers.
- Arts engagement has also been shown to lower markers of inflammation, which plays a central role in age-related decline.
- A separate 2025 study found that creative experiences — including music, dance, and visual arts — were associated with younger-looking brains across 13 countries.
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| The effects were strongest in adults ages 40 and older, aligning with recent research, which suggests that biological aging accelerates meaningfully around midlife. |
| The study backs up something many of us feel deep down: Creative engagement feeds something essential. Whether it’s listening to music, taking a pottery class, or spending an afternoon at a local gallery, the evidence that these aren't just pleasant diversions is growing. |
| So, if you’re thinking of going out and doing something, anything, cultural this week, do it! Your future self and health will thank you. |
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| Over to you: Would you rather spend time in the gym or the gallery? Email wellnesswire@healthline.com and let us know. |
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| Between work, parenting, and all of the responsibilities in between, it can feel difficult to find time for both your mental and physical health. So instead of adding yet another moving part, Teladoc Health offers a more flexible way to get care without disrupting your routine. |
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| Until next time, |
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Take care of yourself, and we’ll see
you again soon! |
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