Another benefit for doing art... Less chance of getting dementia

We already knew art was great for us not only as a way to express our passions but also as a tool for working through many of life's challenges. We hear from our students all the time that they used their art class as a means to over come the loss of a loved one or depression, anxiety etc., but now we hear that creating can also combat dementia.

According to a report in CBC News (Click here for article) "Neurologists at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto found that artists suffering from vascular dementia may still be able to draw spontaneously and from memory, despite being unable to complete simple, everyday tasks.

"Artists compared with non-artists are better protected, he added. "Due to their art, the brain is better protected [against] diseases like Alzheimer's, vascular dementia, and even strokes. They have more reserve in their brain in order to give functions."

"So [we know], based on other neuroscience studies, that art in any of its forms uses different neuronal avenues inside the brain to do their work. And the activity, the talent and the art per se gives reserve when the brain requires that reserve."