Ivy Ross, Google's VP of Design and an accomplished artist, and Susan Magsamen, founder of the International Arts and Mind Lab, dive into the transformative power of art. They reveal how just 20 minutes of artistic engagement daily can rival exercise and mindfulness. Discover how nature is seen as the pinnacle of art and that simple activities like humming or gardening qualify as creative experiences. The duo also emphasizes art's role in neuroplasticity and fostering connections, encouraging us to embrace arts for enhanced mental well-being.
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insights INSIGHT
Benefits of Art
Art offers benefits like improved learning, emotional regulation, and empathy.
It can also treat diseases, relieve stress, and potentially extend lifespan.
insights INSIGHT
Broad Definition of Art
The authors define art broadly, encompassing beauty in various forms.
This includes traditional arts, but also everyday activities like humming, gardening, and being in nature.
insights INSIGHT
Art as Process
The act of creating art, rather than the final product, holds significant value.
Even writing down a secret and burning it can reduce cognitive load.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Your Brain on Art explores the intersection of neuroscience and art, demonstrating how creative activities can positively impact brain function and overall well-being. The book delves into the neurological processes involved in artistic creation and appreciation, highlighting the therapeutic benefits of art for individuals facing various challenges. It showcases case studies and research findings to support its claims, offering a compelling argument for the integration of art into healthcare and education. The authors emphasize the transformative power of art to foster emotional regulation, cognitive enhancement, and social connection. Ultimately, the book advocates for a broader understanding of art's role in promoting human flourishing.
Rest
Why You Get More Done When You Work Less
Alex Soojung Kim-Pang
In 'Rest,' Alex Soojung-Kim Pang challenges the myth that harder work leads to better outcomes. He combines scientific research with historical examples of writers, painters, and thinkers to demonstrate the importance of 'deliberate rest' in enhancing productivity and creativity. The book emphasizes the need to treat rest as an active and essential part of a balanced life, highlighting practices such as daily naps, long walks, and deep play to achieve fulfillment and success.
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Sir Michael Howard
Real Life
Sharon Salzberg
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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?
Our guests Ivy Ross and Susan Magsamen talk about their new book, Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us. Together they explore the new science of neuroaesthetics, which explains how the arts can measurably change the body, brain, and our behaviors.
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.
In this episode we talk about:
Their definition of the arts and aesthetic experiences
How they see nature as, “the highest form of art”
How simple actions like humming in the shower & gardening can be categorized as art experiences
How you don’t have to be good at making art to benefit from it
The difference between “makers” and “beholders” of art
What they mean by art being a part of our evolutionary DNA
How engaging in the arts can help strengthen our relationships and connectivity
How arts and aesthetic experiences create neuroplasticity in the brain
How society’s emphasis on optimizing for productivity has pushed the arts aside
The four key attributes that make up a concept called an “aesthetic mindset”
The benefits of partaking in a wide array of art experiences
The importance of infusing play and non judgment into the art you make
How art can be a form of meditation and mindfulness
How artistic experiences can extend your life, help treat disease and relieve stress
How the arts affect the way we learn
The emerging field of neuroarts and neuroaesthetics
How food fits into the arts category
Simple ways to integrate the arts into our daily lives
Technology’s relationship to the arts
And the importance of architecture and your physical space as a form of art
For tickets to TPH's live event in Boston on September 7:
10% Happier with Dan Harris 
