For some reason, we’ve all decided that the new year is the perfect time to reinvent ourselves. The trouble is, many of us have already tried all the usual health trends—running, yoga, meditation, the latest diets—even if we didn’t really enjoy them, all in an effort to improve our minds and bodies. But how many of us have given the same thought to creativity? This year, I suggest we make room for the arts.
Ever since our ancient ancestors began painting caves, carving figures, dancing, and singing, engaging in the arts has been linked to health and healing. Look at the early writings of any major medical tradition around the world, and you’ll find the arts there. What’s much newer—and growing quickly over the past two decades—is a solid body of scientific evidence that identifies and measures exactly how the arts benefit our health.
There are now hundreds of randomized trials showing the mental health benefits of the arts. Regular activities like singing, dancing, reading, crafting, and cultural pursuits have been shown to reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress for people of all ages. Some studies suggest that combining creative arts therapies, such as music therapy, with antidepressants and counseling can nearly double the improvement in depressive symptoms compared to standard treatments alone. But the arts can also help prevent issues in the first place. People who regularly attend the theater, live music events, museums, galleries, and movies have nearly half the risk of developing depression. This isn’t just because they tend to be wealthier, healthier, or engaged in other healthy behaviors. It holds true regardless of socio-demographic factors, lifestyle, and even genetics.
Instead, neuroscience and psychological research have shown that when we engage in the arts, we give our brains what they need to be happy. We activate the same pleasure and reward networks that respond to food, sex, and drugs, and we benefit from mood-boosting hormones like dopamine. The arts also meet core psychological needs that are essential for mental health, such as autonomy, control, and a sense of mastery—whether through dancing, singing, crafting, or writing. Importantly, the arts help us regulate our emotions, calming or energizing us as needed, which makes it easier to handle life’s stresses.
For our brains, the arts are like a great workout, engaging multiple regions involved in sensory processing, memory, movement, pattern recognition, and emotions. Over time, regular engagement can strengthen connections between brain regions and even increase gray matter volume. In fact, amateur musicians and artists have stronger connections in parts of the brain that are vulnerable to aging, and their brains often appear “younger” in scans.
Participating in arts, crafts, reading, playing musical instruments, and attending cultural events builds what’s known as “cognitive reserve”—the brain’s resilience against decline. This means that even if we start to show signs of dementia, our brains can compensate for longer. Studies show that, even after accounting for lifestyle and personal factors, people who regularly engage in cultural activities perform better on cognitive tests as they age. They experience slower declines in ability, have a lower risk of developing dementia, and are generally older if and when they do receive a diagnosis compared to those who aren’t involved in the arts.
As for our bodies, there’s hardly a physiological system the arts don’t touch. When we breathe deeply for…Activities like singing strengthen our respiratory muscles, giving our lungs a workout comparable to a brisk walk. Dancing can lower blood pressure and glucose levels, with greater benefits than similar exercises lacking the creative element of dance. Engaging in the arts boosts immune activity and reduces inflammation, which affects both physical and mental health. Emerging studies even suggest that arts engagement influences gene expression, showing patterns associated with a younger “epigenetic clock” compared to those who don’t participate in the arts. Whether it’s keeping fingers nimble with crochet, staying fit through dance, or staying active by attending gigs and cultural venues, engaging with the arts reduces the risk of chronic pain, physical impairments, and frailty—even when accounting for other health behaviors like exercise—thereby extending our “healthspan.”
The arts can activate the same reward networks in the brain as food and sex.
I want to be clear: the arts are not a cure-all. There are instances where they do more harm than good, from loud music and surrealist art being used as torture to art flaunting wealth and power. But it’s no exaggeration to say the arts could save your life. Over the years, I’ve met many people who credit painting, reading, dancing, or acting as the lifeline that got them through impossible times.
If a new drug offered the same benefits as the arts, most people would want it. Yet many see engaging in the arts as a luxury rather than a necessity, even though they might be exactly what we need to improve our health and wellbeing.
So, be brutally honest: How many minutes did you spend actively engaging in the arts yesterday? (By “actively,” I mean without multitasking—so not just plugging in headphones and zoning out.) When a representative sample of US adults recently answered that question, 95% said zero. If you’re part of that majority, here are five evidence-based recommendations to get started.
Find your creative pick-me-up.
Use music and books to boost your mood. Swap your morning alarm for a song and take time to listen before getting up. Replace doomscrolling on your commute with a novel. Dopamine release from stories and songs comes not only from joyous or exciting moments—like song choruses or plot climaxes—but also from the tension that builds up to them as our brains anticipate what’s next. If a song or story is too predictable, it can feel bland (like elevator music) without enough anticipation. If it’s too far outside our comfort zone, our brains struggle to judge it, missing the joy of tension and resolution. So, don’t feel pressured to choose a book or album you think you should like. Maximize joy by finding your personal sweet spot between familiarity and complexity.
Choose a new creative hobby.
If you can dedicate 30 to 60 minutes once a week to the arts, studies suggest you may see wellbeing improvements within about six weeks. Consider which psychological needs aren’t being met in your life. If you feel out of control, pick a hobby that lets you take the lead without instruction, like drawing, creative writing, or clay modeling. If you crave mastery, try something that allows you to develop a new skill, such as crafts like crochet.Learning a new skill, like playing the ukulele, can be a great winter activity, whether you follow online tutorials or join a local class. Setting a goal, such as preparing for a performance or making a gift for friends, can help keep you motivated. Remember that setbacks are a natural part of the process—if your pottery cracks or your knitting unravels, learning to handle these moments can actually strengthen your resilience.
Visit an Exhibition
Whether you love classic paintings, modern sculpture, immersive digital art, or street murals, exhibitions offer a powerful way to feel inspired. But take your time to really see the art. Studies show that people often spend only about 28 seconds looking at a piece—and much of that time is spent taking photos. It takes just a few seconds to form an initial emotional reaction, and about ten seconds to start forming thoughts about a work. For a deeper, more meaningful experience, however, you need minutes—not seconds—to observe, reflect, and return to the art. So don’t rush. It’s better to connect deeply with a few pieces than to try to see everything in one visit.
Add Rhythm to Your Workout
When you move to music, your breathing, heart rate, and motions naturally sync with the beat. Upbeat, energetic music can help you run farther, cycle faster, or even complete 20% more reps in the same time. Music can also lessen your awareness of fatigue and pain, making your movements more efficient. In many ways, music acts like a legal performance booster. A tempo of 125–140 beats per minute is a good range for most workouts, though you might choose faster rhythms to match activities like running.
Embrace Make-Believe
As adults, we often see play as silly or childish—but that’s a mistake. Stepping into imaginary worlds lets us temporarily set aside everyday rules and roles, allowing us to see things from new perspectives. This kind of play builds mental flexibility, helping us adapt to unexpected changes in life. So go ahead and unleash your imagination—host a murder mystery night, try cosplay, or mark a local carnival or festival on your calendar.
I’ll be honest: most wellness trends I’ve tried over the years didn’t bring me much happiness. But last January, I decided to take my own advice. Looking back, the most memorable moments of my year have all come from engaging with the arts. I hope your creative pursuits in 2026 bring you similar joy.
Art Cure: The Science of How the Arts Transform Our Health by Daisy Fancourt is published by Cornerstone Press. To support the Guardian, you can order your copy at guardianbookshop.com. Delivery charges may apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about Art Could Save Your Life 5 Creative Ways to Make 2026 Happier Healthier and More Hopeful
General Beginner Questions
1 What does Art Could Save Your Life even mean
Its a metaphor It means that engaging with creativity can dramatically improve your mental emotional and even physical wellbeing helping you navigate stress find meaning and connect with others in a challenging world
2 Im not an artist Is this really for me
Absolutely This isnt about becoming a professional Its about using simple creative acts as tools for selfcare and joy Its for anyone who wants to feel better
3 What are the 5 creative ways
While the full list may have specific examples they generally fall into categories like Creative Journaling Mindful Making Digital Detox through Art Community Art Projects and Reenchanting Your Everyday Environment
4 Do I need expensive supplies
Not at all You can start with a cheap notebook and a pen found objects from a walk a phone camera or even just rearranging items in your home The focus is on the process not the products cost
Benefits How It Works
5 What are the main benefits of doing this
Proven benefits include reduced stress and anxiety improved mood better problemsolving skills a stronger sense of self and feeling more connected and hopeful about the future
6 How can doodling or crafting make me healthier
Creative activities activate your brains reward centers lower cortisol and can induce a flow state which is like meditation This reduces inflammation and improves overall mental health which impacts physical health
7 Im too busy How can I fit this into my day
Start with microart Try a 5minute daily sketch arrange your breakfast nicely and take a photo or listen to music mindfully on your commute Its about small consistent moments not hours of free time
Practical Tips Common Problems
8 I get frustrated because my creation doesnt look good Any advice
Shift your goal from making a masterpiece to experiencing the
