Your Brain on Art-Day 3

 

Did you know according to Your Brain on Art, “Arts and aesthetics can literally rewire your brain. They are the secret sauce that helps build new synaptic connections.”

Spending an hour at the gym or eating a plate of kale may be ways to stay healthy. However,  spending an afternoon at an art gallery or attending a concert in the park might be more fun. 

Your brain uses neuroplasticity (where one cell sends a signal to the next) like a gardener uses shears to prune away dead limbs. By doing so the brain builds stronger synapses and removes weaker connections. 

The environment is the key, here. As it changes, opportunities arise for the neural circuits in your brain to change. That’s why an enriched environment is so much better for your brain. 

In fact, Magsamen and Ross state, “Our environment has the potential to dramatically alter the brain-for better or worse.”

Not only does an enriched environment work in our favor, but an impoverished environment has been shown to cause, “a slow, corrosive effect on health and well-being.”

I can’t help but wonder about the trend of minimalism and a neutral palette. Have we altered our environment in such a way that it may be affecting our well-being?

I’m noticing a new trend, full of color and curated stuff, that is hitting my Instagram feed. Generation Z is embracing a cozy cottage vibe, and are raiding their grandmother’s hutch cabinet for treasures. In a recent visit to a local antique shop, the owner shared with me that two college girls had just left looking for stuff to decorate their dorm room. 

Give some thought to the environment you surround yourself with each day. Does it “Spark Joy” as Marie Kondo likes to say? If not, what could you do to make a few changes?

Your Brain on Art-Day 2

 “Art is the essence of awareness” Irish poet John O’Donohue

According to Your Brain on Art, people with an Aesthetic Mindset, have these attributes in common:

They possess a high level of curiosity. They love play and exploration. They have an eye for detail and enjoy creative activities.

I remember when I used to write blog posts daily. I found myself always on the lookout for interesting topics. It actually became quite fun as I challenged myself to look at the ordinary in a new light. 

Magsamen and Ross believe that, “Being in the aesthetic mindset is being present and attuned to the environment you are in.” 

Research shows that we are actually wired for the arts. All five senses work together as the foundation and contribute to health and wellness. 

Without going into the scientific workings of the brain, it’s amazing how it is designed to work in tandem with the environment it encounters. 

Perhaps, the most interesting feature is your brain’s use of neuroplasticity. Merriam-Webster defines this as “the capacity of the brain to develop and change throughout life.”

As we age, knowing that our brains can still be active and open to new learning is exciting. The arts are a fun and interesting way to take advantage of our brain's ability to do this. 

Your Brain on Art-Day 1

 

The idea for this 31 Day series came from the book Your Brain on Art -How the Arts Transform Us, by Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross.

To be honest, the book ended up being a little too scientific and serious for my tastes, but it did get me thinking.

At the beginning of the book is a quiz about the impact of art on your life. I scored pitifully low and was quite surprised. I thought I was all about creativity and art, but I learned I may have talked the talk, but really didn’t walk the walk. 

Magsamen and Ross define the arts as an Aesthetic Mindset:

How you are aware of the arts and aesthetics around you, and how you bring them into your life with purpose. 

Now why would this even be important? Well, just like the thirty-one-day challenge I did on curiosity in 2023, I discovered that the arts can actually contribute to a better quality of life, especially as we age. 

So I’m hoping you’ll follow along this month as we explore how you can incorporate more of the arts in your life. Hopefully, I may be able to score a little bit higher on the quiz.