Sipping from the Fountain of Youth

Last weekend my daughter and I took a fun introductory digital photography class together. I guess you could say I sipped from the fountain of youth that day because studies show learning a new skill is a wonderful way to keep our brains healthy and agile.

In fact, according to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, mental stimulation is one of the five best ways to maintain a healthy brain. (things like learning a new skill or language, playing games, traveling to new places, trying new foods, playing an instrument) Other factors include physical activity, nutrition, socialization and spirituality.

As I shared in an article I wrote in 2011 for Natural Awakenings Magazine (“Is Creativity The Fountain of Youth?”) studies also show that people who remain engaged in some type of creative endeavor, whether it be art, music, gardening, cooking, crafting or other creatively satisfying pursuits enjoy a variety of health benefits throughout their lives.

This is great news! 
We now have more compelling reasons 
to give ourselves permission 
to pursue our creative interests without guilt!

Since I happen to know many of you feel guilty when it comes to taking time for your creativity I hope this will help you to realize time spent enjoying creative pursuits isn’t a luxury…it’s a necessity to live a healthy, fulfilling life.

Here’s a great 3-minute TED Talk by Matt Cutts about the benefits of trying something new for 30 days. 

My fabulous personal trainer, Pauline Stafford, founder of Garage Fitness in East Dallas, has created a year-long contest for her clients in which we’re challenged to add one simple healthy habit to our daily routine for two weeks at a time. 

So far our challenges have included eating at least three servings of veggies a day, stretching at least two minutes a day and listing at list four things for which we’re grateful each day. It’s been a wonderful way to gently increase our health and create new habits with some friendly competition thrown into the mix.

What creative pursuit have you been longing to try for the first time or reintroduce back into your life? What if you took a moment to make a quick list right now of just three creative activities you'd like to do sometime soon? I'll join you. Mine are:

#1 – Try out ZenTangle 

#2 – Practice taking photographs 

#3 – Play piano and sing

Until next time, all the best from my Creative Oasis Fountain of Youth to yours,
Jill

"Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever."  – Mahatma Gandhi