On music, art and dancing

When was the last time you went dancing with friends?
When did you enjoy watching sunset or a thunderstorm?
When did you listen, uninterrupted, to music that makes you happy?
As I focused on brain health, and in particular on practical tools that can help people, I became aware that activities such as visiting galleries, listening to music, dancing with friends, learning a new skill and meditating were not just fun, but also help people to think better, remember better and feel better.

Essentially, having fun and living well, keeps your brain healthy. The evidence for this is both fascinating and compelling. I will discuss some in brief here. More detailed descriptions are available in blog posts, and practical applications in Memorability’s courses.

‘Live a life of sheer joy and ecstasy … that is the only way to live.’ Osho

Art

Viewing and creating art can reduce stress levels and improve psychological resilience. Jonathan Fineberg’s book, Modern Art at the Border of Mind and Brain, beautifully illustrates the value of art. Many people are intimidated by art or creativity but focusing on the process, can give you an enjoyable way to better mental wellness.

Many of the same activities that keep the brain healthy, also keep the heart healthy, and reduce the risk of depression and anxiety.

Music

Listening to music has been shown to activate the emotional processing part of the brain. Music has been used therapeutically to supplement standard treatments for various illnesses, including anxiety, depression, pain, cancer and heart disease. Understanding this power of music, can be an effective and practical strategy to prime the brain (and you) for calm.

Dance

Dancing also stimulates the emotional processing part of the brain. Dancing may help us to understand other people’s emotions and, potentially, increase empathy. It is currently used as an additional therapy for illnesses such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease and some psychiatric illnesses.

Exercise 

Exercise activates genes within the brain which increases plasticity in the memory and mood part of the brain, helping you to feel better and remember better. Other lifestyle habits Add link to habits for calm course such as eating healthy (and delicious) food, and spending time with people you love can have a similar impact of our mental wellbeing and brain health.

Meditation, Mindfulness or Relaxation Techniques

Meditation has been shown to improve brain health in various ways including protecting the brain as we age and helping thinking skills such as creativity and problem-solving. It also has the potential to improve sleep quality which is essential for mental wellbeing.

Eating well 

Diets high in saturated fats and sugar affects learning and memory in adults and children. A high fat, high sugar diet causes shrinkage of the hippocampus, which affects our memory and mood, increasing our stress levels Add link to habits for calm course, and the risk of illnesses such as depression and anxiety. Eating unhealthy foods leads to various chronic illnesses including diabetes, cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer’s disease.

These activities don’t just keep the brain healthy. Many of these same activities, can keep the heart healthy, and reduce depression and anxiety. So, living well leads to better health, and better health helps to have a life well-lived. It is a cycle of health.

Enjoy your days. Everyday. This is the best way to stay healthy, happy and calm.

Think better. Feel better. Love and live better with better brain health.

For more from Dr. Kirti sign up for one of our courses.