Arts and Culture Significantly Slow Biological Ageing, New Study Reveals

Engaging in artistic activities like singing, painting, or visiting museums dramatically slows down the biological ageing process, according to groundbreaking new research. This study is the first to scientifically confirm that both active participation in the arts and attending cultural events help keep people biologically younger.

Arts Engagement as a Health-Promoting Behavior

Professor Daisy Fancourt, head of the social biobehavioural research group at University College London and lead author of the study, emphasized the profound health implications: “These results demonstrate the health impact of the arts at a biological level. They provide evidence for arts and cultural engagement to be recognised as a health-promoting behaviour in a similar way to exercise.”

While the study highlights a slower pace of ageing, it does not directly confirm increased lifespan. The researchers used advanced “epigenetic clocks” to measure biological ageing, markers that predict future health risks and mortality. Previous studies hinted at arts engagement extending lifespan, but additional research is necessary to establish direct causal links.

A man with thinning white hair kneels down on the floor of a gallery to look closely at a sculpture of a long-necked bird-like creature. — A man engages with Laure Prouvost’s installation Above Front Tears Oui Float at the Nasjonalmuseet, Oslo, Norway. Photograph: David Levene/The Guardian

Frequency of Arts Participation Slows Ageing

The data shows a clear dose-response relationship. Individuals engaging in arts activities at least weekly slowed their biological ageing by 4%, while monthly participation yielded a 3% slowing effect. Another assessment method revealed that weekly arts participants were biologically about one year younger than those who rarely engaged in the arts—a greater effect than weekly exercise, which correlated with being six months younger biologically.

Remarkably, the benefits of arts engagement on biological ageing rival the difference observed between smokers and former smokers, underscoring the powerful impact of cultural involvement.

Women of varying ages, but mostly older and with grey hair, sing in a choir as a young woman conducts them. — Participants in the research were also asked how often they took part in singing, dancing, paint, photography or crafting. Photograph: Christopher Thomond/The Guardian

Stress Reduction and Cardiovascular Benefits

Dr Feifei Bu, senior author and UCL academic, explained, “Our study provides the first evidence that arts and cultural engagement is linked to a slower pace of biological ageing. This builds on a growing body of evidence about the health impact of the arts, with arts activities shown to reduce stress, lower inflammation, and improve cardiovascular disease risk, just as exercise does.”

Study Details: Data and Methodology

Published in Innovation in Aging, the research analyzed blood samples and survey responses from 3,556 adults enrolled in the UK Household Longitudinal Study. Biological age and ageing pace were estimated using cutting-edge biomarkers from blood tests.

Participants reported their frequency of engaging in activities such as singing, dancing, painting, photography, crafting, attending exhibitions, visiting heritage sites, museums, libraries, or archives over the past year.

three elderly women sit on vintage chairs on a black and white floor with what appear to be plastic bowls for hairdrying on their heads. They wear anoraks and black sunglasses and are laughing. There are hand-knitted tank tops hanging on the wall behind them. — Three women enjoy an exhibit at Beamish, The Living Museum of the North, in County Durham. Photograph: David Levene/The Guardian

Arts Vital for Longevity and Wellbeing

Hollie Smith-Charles, director of creative health and change programmes at Arts Council England, highlighted the cultural significance: “Many of us know instinctively that taking part in creative and cultural activities is vital for a happy, flourishing life. These impressive new findings further demonstrate how arts, museums, and libraries help us live well for longer and emphasize the importance of accessible, affordable culture for everyone.”

Evidence continues to mount that the arts enhance both mental and physical health. The World Health Organization’s 2019 report, co-authored by Fancourt, showcased interventions like music therapy before surgery and arts programs for dementia patients, underscoring arts’ therapeutic power.

Middle-Aged and Older Adults Benefit Most

The study found that adults aged 40 and above experienced the greatest deceleration in biological ageing through arts participation. This age group reaps substantial health rewards from cultural engagement, reinforcing the importance of lifelong creative involvement.

Arts as a Healing Force in Society

Mark Ball, artistic director of London’s Southbank Centre, reflected on the arts’ historical and ongoing role: “We have long known that creativity delivers extraordinary health benefits. This latest research adds a vital new piece to the puzzle, proving arts and culture can even slow the biological clock.”

The Southbank Centre, established in 1951 as part of the Festival of Britain, was conceived as “a tonic for the nation” after the devastation of World War II. Ball notes, “It was an explicit recognition that the country needed to come together through the arts to find optimism and healing. That sentiment is enduring and essential now more than ever.”