“I’m too busy,” is no excuse. Everyone can find 5 extra minutes.
Art appreciation
Viewing the Mona Lisa is good for your brain. So is admiring the dinosaur (even if it looks more like a big bug) that your kindergarten age daughter hung askew on the refrigerator. Humans have been creating art for 40,000 years. Scientists have reported that viewing artistic images increases the blood flow to your brain and also activates the reward area of your brain.
Why is increased blood flow potentially beneficial to your brain? Amongst the many reasons is this: Scientists, studying the skulls of our evolutionary ancestors, determined that the rate of blood flow to the brain may be a better indication of cognitive ability than brain size alone.
Even absent-mindedly doodling improves connectivity within an important circuit of the brain, the Default Mode Network (DMN). The DMN is a wide network of far-flung neuronal nodes in the neocortex, wired together by white matter (axonal) cables. The DMN is involved in inner thoughts such as reminiscing, future planning, imagining and thinking about others.
What you can do in 5 minutes or less: Google Mona Lisa or kindergarten dinosaur drawing today and investigate a different famous (or not so famous) artwork.
To learn more about art and your brain, check out https://brain2mind.substack.com/p/smart-is-sexy
For another 18 brain workouts, check out https://brain2mind.substack.com/p/19-brain-workouts
Good advice.
Oh, I like this! I ran across some really beautiful art on Pinterest today.