Growing old is inevitable. But growing old with a younger brain is possible.
Recent work reveals that engaging in a creative activity, whether artistic or playful, could slow down the aging of your brain. A good reason to add a little movement, music or play to your daily life.
The brain ages, but not at the same rate for everyone
Just like the body, the brain changes over time. Its connections change, certain regions become thinner, and the speed of information processing may decrease. These transformations, grouped under the term brain agingare perfectly natural.
But this aging does not affect everyone in the same way. Some people maintain sharp memories and creativity intact well into their 70s, while others experience decline earlier. For what ? Because the brain remains plastic, that is to say capable of remodeling itself according to our experiences. And among the most beneficial experiences… there is creativity.
Art and play, true brain stimulators
This is the avenue explored by neuroscientists Carlos Coronel and Agustín Ibáñez, who wanted to measure the biological impact of creativity on brain health. Their objective: to scientifically prove that artistic and fun activities are not limited to cultural pleasure, but that they really modify our brain functioning.
To do this, they studied 1,400 people spread across several countries: tango dancers, musicians, visual artists, expert players… but also people with no artistic experience. All were observed using cutting-edge techniques like magnetoencephalography and electroencephalography, which record brain activity in real time.
The data collected then fed computer models capable of constructing a “brain clock” for each participant, an indicator of their biological brain age. By comparing this brain age to the actual age, the researchers were able to assess the speed of brain aging.
Result: people engaged in regular creative practice displayed biologically younger brains than those who did not.
Tango, a real elixir of youth for the brain!
And in this discovery, several activities stood out as a “rejuvenating factor”. So first place goes to tango! Tango dancers had brains up to seven years younger than their actual age.
Followed by musicians and visual artists who showed a gap of five to six years. But just as surprisingly, beginner players, after 30 hours of a strategy video game, saw their brain age decline by two to three years.
Play and dance now!
According to researchers, creativity acts as a global workout. It strengthens communication between regions of the brain, particularly those involved in memory, planning and emotions.
“It’s like building new roads in a network,” summarizes the team: the more paths and connections there are, the more information flows quickly and efficiently.
But you don’t need to master an art to stimulate your neurons. The important thing is regularity and pleasure.
Some ideas to get started:
- Dance : tango, salsa, contemporary… it doesn’t matter the style, as long as the body moves and the mind follows the rhythm;
- Make music : learning an instrument, singing in a group or simply listening actively develops memory and coordination;
- Play : strategy or reflection games require decision-making and concentration;
- Express yourself : painting, writing, tinkering… each creative gesture strengthens mental flexibility.
And for lasting effects, combine these activities with a healthy lifestyle: balanced diet, physical activity and restful sleep. Researchers point out: creativity is as essential to brain health as sport or nutrition.