Neuroaesthetics: How Art Can Improve and Extend Your Life | Ivy Ross and Susan Magsamen

About this episode

<p><em>New episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for free, with 1-week early access for Wondery+ subscribers.</em></p> <p><em>---</em></p> <p><br /></p> <p>Did you know that just 20 minutes of art a day is as beneficial as exercise and mindfulness? Or that participating in one art experience per month can extend your life by ten years? </p> <p><br /></p> <p>Our guests Ivy Ross and Susan Magsamen talk about their new book, <a href= "https://www.yourbrainonart.com/your-brain-on-art-book" rel= "noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em>Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us</em></a><em>.</em> Together they explore the new science of neuroaesthetics, which explains how the arts can measurably change the body, brain, and our behaviors. </p> <p><br /></p> <p>This is the first installment in a three part series we're running called, Mundane Glory about learning not to overlook the little things in your daily life that can be powerful and evidence-based levers for increased happiness. </p> <p><br /></p> <p><br /></p> <p><strong>In this episode we talk about:</strong></p> <p><br /></p> <ul> <li>Their definition of the arts and aesthetic experiences</li> <li>How they see nature as, "the highest form of art"</li> <li>How simple actions like humming in the shower & gardening can be categorized as art experiences</li> <li>How you don't have to be good at making art to benefit from it</li> <li>The difference between "makers" and "beholders" of art</li> <li>What they mean by art being a part of our evolutionary DNA</li> <li>How engaging in the arts can help strengthen our relationships and connectivity</li> <li>How arts and aesthetic experiences create neuroplasticity in the brain</li> <li>How society's emphasis on optimizing for productivity has pushed the arts aside</li> <li>The four key attributes that make up a concept called an "aesthetic mindset"</li> <li>The benefits of partaking in a wide array of art experiences</li> <li>The importance of infusing play and non judgment into the art you make</li> <li>How art can be a form of meditation and mindfulness</li> <li>How artistic experiences can extend your life, help treat disease and relieve stress</li> <li>How the arts affect the way we learn</li> <li>The emerging field of neuroarts and neuroaesthetics</li> <li>How food fits into the arts category</li> <li>Simple ways to integrate the arts into our daily lives</li> <li>Technology's relationship to the arts</li> <li>And the importance of architecture and your physical space as a form of art</li> </ul> <p><br /></p> <p><br /></p> <p><strong>For tickets to TPH's live event in Boston on September 7:</strong></p> <p><a href="https://thewilbur.com/armory/artist/dan-harris/" rel= "noopener noreferrer" target= "_blank"><strong>https://thewilbur.com/armory/artist/dan-harris/</strong></a></p> <p><br /></p> <p><strong>Full Shownotes:</strong> <a href= "https://www.tenpercent.com/tph/podcast-episode/ivy-ross-susan-magsamen" rel="noopener noreferrer" target= "_blank">https://www.tenpercent.com/tph/podcast-episode/ivy-ross-susan-magsamen</a></p>