Making Art Tied to Fewer Cognitive Problems in Old Age

 

 I have seen this said, and have proven even to my self, That having a hobby , Being creative in your chosen way , whether it being: Quilting, Making Dolls, Drawing, Gardening, Cooking any thing as long as it stimulates you , Your brain, physical body,

Some thing you enjoy from your heart and look forward to, and at times you may think " nay maybe not today", But make your self jump in and do it, and see how much better you do feel, 

Having a hobby has been proven to lower blood pressure, reduce stress, anxiety, It has been proven to take a negative to a positive, 

I personally have a couple hobbies, which for me go hand in hand as far as $$ goes, 

Meaning I can use what  I pretty much have on hand, being able to use (interchange )also in another area.

 #1: Doll Making,  #2: Quilting, (I am just learning it but love it ) #3:Drawing faces, which means , Like my friend Kat taught me years ago, practice, practice, 

But I found out Creative Doodling I really love and enjoy, and can do any where, using same supplies I use on my dolls. Water Color Pencils, Color Pencils, even just a plain pencil..

First:  Thank You Deanna Hogan for sharing this post:

http://blueherondolls.blogspot.com

https://www.facebook.com/deanna.hogan1?fref=nf

A Mayo Clinic study finds decades spent on creative work pay off.

 http://www.psmag.com/health-and-behavior/making-art-tied-to-fewer-cognitive-problems-in-old-age

BENEFITS OF HAVING A HOBBY.. A Great Read:

http://www.positivelypresent.com/2013/06/benefits-of-having-a-hobby.html

 1. Hobbies encourage taking a break. Hobbies offer an opportunity to take a break—but a break with a purpose. If you're like me, you might like to feel productive while you're engaging in an activity and a hobby gives you that. You are doing something while still having fun. Hobbies are great ways to take a break from your busy life while still having a sense of purpose. 

2. Hobbies promote eustress. Eustress is that positive kind of stress, the kind that makes you feel excited about what you're doing and about life. Hobbies, I've found, are one of the greatest ways to access that kind of stress. When you're doing something you love—something you don't have to do for any other reason other than the fact that you love it—you feel a rush of excitement and joy. 

3. Hobbies offer a new challenge. Hobbies break up routine sand challenge you in new ways, ways that are different from work, ways that are positive. The great thing about picking up a new hobby is that it provides an excellent outlet for challenging yourself without the negative stress that comes from a work-related challenge. The new challenge can also open your mind to new ways of seeing the world. 

 

4. Hobbies unite you with others. Even if you engage in a solo activity, like illustrating, you're exposing yourself to a new world of people, people who find the same thing enjoyable that you do. Though I don't talk much about illustrating in the "real world," online I find myself connecting with all kinds of people who are passionate about what I too feel excited about.  

5. Hobbies provide an outlet for stress. Adding another activity to your to-do list might seem like a way to create more stress, but I've found that engaging in a new hobby actually provides a great outlet for releasing stress. By focusing on a non-work-related task, you're giving your mind something else to focus on. And when you really get in the flow, all of your worries and stresses seem to fade away. 

6. Hobbies promote staying present. If you really love what you're doing, you tend to get in the flow or zone and really, truly focus on the moment. When I'm working on an illustration, hours can magically fly by because I'm so intensely focused on what I'm doing. Instead of worrying about the future or dwelling on the past, I'm completely and undeniably in the present. 

7. Hobbies have physical health benefits. Research has found that engaging in enjoyable activities during down time were associated with lower blood pressure, total cortisol, waist circumference, and body mass index. Engaging in these activities also correlated to higher levels of positive psychosocial states and lower levels of depression and negative affect. Hobbies are good for your mind and your body.  

 

Finding a new hobby isn't always easy. You can't just force yourself to like something; it has to come naturally. If you don't already have something you're interested in (or might be interested in), try new things. Sign up for a class that sounds interesting or ask your friends what kinds of hobbies they enjoy doing. The key to finding a new hobby—and falling in love with it—is keeping an open mind and being willing to give new things a try. You never know what might become your next favorite past-time!