How creative hobbies like dancing or gaming could keep your brain younger, according to science
Researchers analyzed brain imaging data from 1,467 healthy adults around the world, including tango dancers, musicians, visual artists, and strategy gamers. Using computational “brain clocks,” scientists measured the gap between each participant’s biological brain age and their real age. “We use brain connectivity metrics to predict your brain age, and this gap is informative for assessing accelerated or delayed brain aging,” explained Agustín Ibáñez, director of the Latin American Brain Health Institute at Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez.
Creativity Could Be the Key to a Younger Brain
The study found that all four creative pursuits—dance, music, visual art, and strategy video games—were linked to slower brain aging. The more expertise and practice a person had, the younger their brain appeared. Expert tango dancers, for example, had brains that looked an average of seven years younger than their chronological age. But even beginners benefited: participants who learned to play StarCraft II, a strategy-based video game, showed slower brain aging after just 30 hours of training compared with a control group.
The results suggest that creative engagement stimulates multiple brain regions involved in coordination, decision-making, and imagination, keeping neural networks flexible and resilient. “Anyone can benefit from having a creative hobby, not just geniuses or professional artists,” Ibáñez said. “Creating a little bubble through art or music can have a positive impact on your brain health.”
Protective Effects Beyond Creating Art
Interestingly, simply appreciating art may also help preserve brain function. Studies led by Jill Sonke, a research professor at the University of Florida, found that older adults who spent time in concerts, museums, or plays had better memory and slower cognitive decline over time. Engaging with the arts—even passively—appears to strengthen neural connections, reduce stress, and support emotional balance, all of which protect against aging-related cognitive loss.
Experts say these findings align with growing research linking arts engagement to cognitive preservation and a delayed onset of dementia. “There have been increasing studies identifying associations between arts engagement and both cognitive preservation and delayed time to dementia onset,”said Daisy Fancourt, a professor at University College London.
So whether it’s learning a new instrument, painting for fun, or dancing in your kitchen, creative activities are more than just hobbies—they’re powerful tools for keeping your brain young, active, and resilient.
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