A new study by University College London, published in the journal Innovation in Aging, reveals that engaging with arts and culture can slow biological aging at a rate comparable to exercise. Researchers found that attending performances or visiting galleries once a month led to a 3 percent reduction in aging speed, while weekly engagement produced a 4 percent slowdown. Those who participated in the arts at least weekly were biologically at least a year younger than non-participants, outperforming weekly exercisers, who were only six months younger biologically. The study tracked 3,356 adults from 2010 to 2012 using survey data and blood tests, measuring aging via epigenetic clocks that analyze DNA changes.
These findings matter because they provide biological evidence that arts engagement could be recognized as a health-promoting behavior akin to exercise, potentially influencing public health policy and funding for the arts. Lead author Daisy Fancourt emphasized the health impact of the arts at a biological level, while Northwestern University cardiologist Doug Vaughan noted that creative activities reduce stress and inflammation, acting as a non-pharmacological intervention. The study strengthens the case for integrating arts and culture into wellness strategies, highlighting their tangible benefits for physical health and aging.