Your Brain on Art
I finished reading this book at the end of last year and its been percolating in my mind these past months, far longer than many books do. As a non-fiction science-y type book it was thankfully an easy read, which I appreciate. Surprisingly it was also really inspiring and it sparked my own creative flow in ways I didn't expect. Or maybe not so surprisingly, because even though I learned a lot of facts, it reinforced something that was already there. A knowing. A deeply felt acceptance that art is in fact vitally important to the human experience.
And yet, society often treats it like it’s optional or frivolous.
I need to make something clear first. The word 'art' here is used in the most broad sense possible. Encompassing all acts of creating, shaping, enjoying, participating in, observing, the human made.
Everything that humans create with aesthetics or pleasure in mind can be classed as an 'art'. A master pastry chef creating a stunning display of fancy desserts (food doesn't need to look pretty to taste good, and yet we spend a lot of time and money making our food beautiful). The landscape of our home's yard doesn't require cultivation or meticulous care, mother nature could simply take over, yet we trim, we plant, we beautify. Take that a few creative steps further and a landscaper is an artist.
Almost every space humans inhabit is designed, cultivated, curated, chosen specifically for an aesthetic value over pure function alone.
We are all creative and we are all influenced by creativity.
Art is a Biological Experience
One of the most compelling ideas in the book is that art doesn’t just influence how we feel, it actively shapes what’s happening in our bodies.
Creative experiences can reduce stress, regulate mood, and even support cognitive function. This isn’t poetic language, it’s actually measurable. The brain responds to color, pattern, sound, and movement in ways that affect everything from hormone levels to neural connections.
We don’t question the importance of exercise or nutrition anymore. We understand those as essential inputs for a healthy body. But creative engagement, despite influencing many of the same systems, is still treated like a luxury.
What if it belongs in the same category?
Creativity Isn’t About Talent
Another idea that feels both obvious and easy to forget: creativity isn’t reserved for “artists.”
It’s easy to opt out of anything creative with the phrase, “I’m just not a creative person.” But that definition is far too narrow. Creativity shows up in everyday choices, how we decorate a space, how we arrange objects, how we make something with our hands, how we play with color or texture.
It doesn’t have to be impressive to be meaningful.
In fact, removing the pressure to be “good” at something might be what allows the benefits to show up at all.
For those of us already engaging in things like paper crafting, journaling, or design, this idea is validating. These aren’t just pastimes. They’re forms of active engagement with our environment and our own minds.
Creativity and the Aging Brain
Another benefit that stood out is how closely creative activity aligns with the kinds of habits we’re often encouraged to adopt for long-term brain health.
We hear a lot about staying mentally active as we age; doing puzzles, learning new skills, keeping the mind engaged. Creative activities sit naturally within that same space, but with an added layer of emotional and sensory engagement.
Making, experimenting, and trying something new all require the brain to form and strengthen neural connections. Whether it’s learning a new craft, picking up a different medium, or simply approaching something familiar in a new way, these moments of novelty and focus help keep the brain flexible and responsive.
There’s also something uniquely sustaining about creative work. It’s not just problem-solving, it’s expressive, immersive, and often deeply absorbing. That combination seems to support not only cognitive function, but also a sense of calm and connection.
Rather than being something fixed or defined at one stage of life, creativity can evolve alongside us. It can be revisited, expanded, or rediscovered in new forms, offering both mental stimulation and a meaningful way to stay connected to the world around us.
You Don’t Have to Make Art to Benefit From It
One of the more reassuring ideas presented in the book through scientific evidence is that you don’t have to create art to experience its benefits.
Engaging with art, simply observing, listening, or appreciating it, can have the same positive effects on the brain and body. Visiting a gallery, listening to music, noticing design, or even spending time with something visually or emotionally resonant can all shift mood, reduce stress, and support cognitive well-being.
This matters, especially for anyone who feels hesitant about making something themselves. There’s no barrier to entry here. You don’t need skill, materials, or a finished result, just time and attention.
This kind of engagement can be even more accessible. It can be woven into everyday life in small, quiet ways: pausing to really look at something, choosing environments that feel considered or expressive, or intentionally surrounding yourself with things that evoke a response.
It also reframes the role of supporting the arts. Attending exhibits, buying from artists, sharing work, or simply valuing creative expression in your community isn’t just cultural participation, it’s a way of staying mentally and emotionally engaged.
Creating and observing aren’t separate experiences, they’re part of the same ecosystem. And both have a place in a creative life.
What We Lose When Art Disappears
When arts programs are cut from schools or underfunded in communities, the loss is usually framed in cultural terms.
Less exposure. Fewer opportunities. A diminished appreciation for the arts.
But if we take the science seriously, the loss is much deeper than that.
We’re not just removing enrichment, we’re removing tools that support emotional regulation, cognitive development, and connection. We’re stripping away environments that help people feel, think, and engage more fully.
It’s not dramatic to say this has consequences. It’s just easy to overlook because the effects aren’t always immediate or visible.
The Spaces We Live In
Art isn’t limited to what we create, it’s also what we live inside of.
Our brains are constantly responding to our surroundings: light, color, texture, visual noise, beauty. Even small details can shift how a space feels, and in turn, how we feel within it.
A thoughtfully arranged desk, a favorite pattern, a space that feels visually calm or personally expressive, these aren’t trivial choices. They’re part of the ongoing sensory input that shapes our daily experience.
We don’t always notice it. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t working.
This same sensory experience extends to activities we don't usually regard as artistic or creative. Things like baking or gardening for example. While these types of actions are often relegated to the realm of chores, when elevated to hobby level with a keener interest and broadened scope we can apply artistic vision or creative output.
A Necessary Distinction: Physical vs. Digital Creativity
One thought that kept resurfacing as I reflected on all of this is how physical many of these benefits seem to be.
So much of our time is now spent engaging with images and ideas through screens. And while there’s certainly value in digital creativity, it often lacks something more visceral; the tactile, sensory feedback of working with real materials.
The feel of paper. The resistance of a pen. The act of cutting, arranging, layering.
These experiences engage the whole body and all of the senses as much as the mind.
Scrolling through beautiful images or even creating digitally can be stimulating, but it’s not quite the same as physically interacting with something. There’s a difference between observing and participating.
In a time when so many of us feel tethered to our devices, this distinction feels worth paying attention to. Not as a rejection of digital tools, but as a reminder that some forms of engagement are more grounding than others.
A More Intentional Creative Life
For me, the biggest takeaway wasn’t something big, rather, it was a subtle acknowledgement of how I already live and what I already value.
My creative time no longer feels like something I need to justify or squeeze in after everything else. It feels more like something that comes first, that supports everything else.
Even small moments count. A few minutes of making, arranging, or experimenting can shift the tone of a day in a way that’s hard to explain but easy to feel.
It’s less about producing something and more about engaging with the process.
Final Thoughts
If art has the power to shape how we think, feel, and function, then it isn’t something extra.
It’s part of how we take care of ourselves.
It's real. Tangible. Good for our souls, as well as our brains.
And maybe the real shift is this: instead of asking whether we have time for creativity, we start looking at our regular daily rhythm and ask where can we add that little extra spark.
While I do recommend the book if that's your jam, you might also/instead prefer another take on this topic via this video content that talks about this subject from the perspective of knitting or really just making things by hand.
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