The show must go on, especially for healthy aging.
New research has identified a series of fun activities that appear to turn back time when it comes to how the body ages.
More than just providing entertainment, the strongest effects of these activities were seen in those who regularly participated.
Some obvious mistakes — like smoking, unhealthy diet, poor sleep and physical inactivity, to name a few — can accelerate biological age, or how cells and organs age.
But growing evidence has also shown that taking in a Broadway play or hitting up an art gallery could play an important role in aging well.
A study published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health found that older adults who regularly enjoyed cultural activities had significantly younger physiological or biological ages.
Those who went to the movies, a museum, an art gallery, a concert, the theater or the opera tended to have bodies that functioned like those of younger people.
Researchers at the Institute of Science Tokyo in Japan analyzed data from 1,899 adults aged 50 and older participating in the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing.
They combined various measurements of physical health, such as blood pressure, cholesterol, body mass index (BMI), grip strength, walking speed and more, to find a single physiological age.
Those who went to these events every few months had an average biological age of 66.9 years. Meanwhile, those with lower levels of participation had a biological age of 69.9 years.
Unlike chronological age — which measures how many trips you’ve taken around the sun — biological age can be influenced by factors like genetics, sleep, stress, diet and environmental exposures.
One possible explanation for the differences in aging is that cultural activities strengthen social connections, encourage healthier lifestyle habits and support better mental health.
All of these may contribute to slower physiological aging, especially socialization and strong connections, which play key roles in predicting a long and healthy life.
However, the team did also note that physically healthier people may simply be able to attend more cultural events and activities.
Even so, other studies have shown that engaging with culture as you get older has a positive impact on biological age.
Another study of 3,500 UK adults found that going to art museums or participating in creative hobbies like singing, dancing, drawing and painting once a week showed slower signs of aging.
Monthly participation was tied to aging 3% slower, while weekly participation was linked to a 4% slower rate compared to those who took part fewer than three times a year.
The study also hinted that mixing up arts and cultural activities appeared to be more beneficial than sticking with the same hobby over and over.
