[acb-hsp] Live Longer? Be More Creative (from fastcompany)

[peter altschul]

Want To Live Longer? Be More Creative
  Coming up with new ideas--and being more accepting of new 
strategies--strengthens the brain and makes you less susceptible 
to stress.
  Nursing homes offering activities like writing seminars, poker 
nights, and pottery lessons might just be on to something.  In a 
study of 1,349 older male veterans, creativity--serving as an 
indication of openness, the willingness to try new things and 
accept new things.  The stJournal of Aging and Healthst study 
which followed the men over 18 years old (but did not include any 
women), found that creative thinking may have led to a 12% 
reduction in mortality risk.
  "Creative thinking may have led to a 12% reduction in mortality 
risk.  his
  There are a few possible reasons for this, the study's authors 
say.  For one thing, creativity requires the engagement of 
multiple neural networks, perhaps strengthening those networks as 
the brain ages.  In other words, creative activities may act as 
exercises that keep the brain fit.  People who exhibit creativity 
also seem to cope with stress better, finding solutions to 
stressful situations rather than being overwhelmed by them.  And 
have also shown a connection between openness and reduced 
metabolic risk.
  Hobbies or other activities in which we create something 
new--be that music, food or furniture--require problem-solving 
skills and imagination.  Such tasks are often relaxing, and even 
when they take a lot of energy, they are usually fulfilling.  It 
stands to reason, then, that creativity could reduce our stress 
levels, improve our overall health and increase our longevity.  
Get out the finger paints.
  Suemedha Sood