Is The Fountain of Youth Made of Ink? How Art Slows Down Biological Ageing
- Gemma Gittins
- Jul 29
- 3 min read
We’ve all experienced that magical, time-bending sensation that happens when you step into the studio. You pick up a brush, mix a shade of paint, or begin sketching - and suddenly, two hours have evaporated in what felt like five minutes.
At Ardington we’ve long known that creative practice feels good for the soul. It lowers our heart rate, quiets a noisy mind, and gives us a gentle refuge from the relentless pace of modern life. But as it turns out, the restorative magic of art isn’t just in our heads!
A landmark study from University College London (UCL), published in Innovation in Aging, has revealed something extraordinary: regular engagement with arts and culture actively slows down the pace of biological ageing.
The Science of Staying Young at Heart (and Cell)
Researchers at UCL, led by Professor Daisy Fancourt and Dr Feifei Bu, analysed blood samples and survey responses from over 3,500 UK adults. By examining "epigenetic clocks" - chemical changes on our DNA that measure biological age rather than chronological years - they discovered a direct link between creative life and cellular vitality.
Here are a few of the study’s most striking findings:
On Par with Exercise: People who engaged with art activities at least once a week aged 4% more slowly at a biological level than those who rarely did. Crucially, this anti-ageing effect was virtually identical to the biological benefits of regular physical exercise!
A Year Younger: According to biological age markers (such as the PhenoAge clock), weekly art-makers were biologically a full year younger on average than non-participants.
The Over-40 Superpower: While art benefits everyone, the links were strongest for middle-aged and older adults (aged 40 and above).
Stress and Cellular Health: The researchers noted that art helps reduce stress hormones like cortisol, lowers systemic inflammation, and improves cardiovascular health - giving our bodies a genuine rest-and-repair cycle.
Variety is the Spice of (longer) Life
One of the most encouraging takeaways from the study is that diversity matters just as much as frequency.
Professor Fancourt likened participating in different arts activities to eating a varied, colourful diet. Painting a watercolour, moulding raw clay, singing in a choir, or simply strolling through a gallery each offer different "ingredients" - a unique blend of sensory, cognitive, emotional, and social stimulation.
When you spend a morning learning the rhythmic flow of calligraphy, your brain is working in a completely different way than when you’re in a life drawing class or visiting a museum cabinet of curiosities. Each creative discipline lights up different pathways, keeping our minds supple and our spirits refreshed.
Prescribing a Little Studio Time
For years, we’ve been told that to stay healthy as we age, we need to hit 10,000 steps, eat our greens, and get to the gym. Whilst we’re not advocating hanging up your walking boots, the science now confirms what we’ve quietly known all along: holding a paintbrush or dipping a nib in ink is vital for your wellbeing.
Art shouldn’t be considered a luxury or an afterthought. We should be making space for it as a fundamental. Being creative is a deliberate choice to pause, engage your senses, and nourish yourself at the deepest biological level.
So, the next time you feel a twinge of guilt for spending a quiet afternoon in the studio while the housework wait - remember UCL's findings. You aren't just making art; you are gently winding back your cellular clock.
How does taking time out to create make you feel? Do you notice a physical sense of calm when you pick up a pencil or work with your hands?
If you’re ready to add a little extra vitality (and a lot of creative joy!) to your life, explore our upcoming workshops here. Or read more about Yvonne's thoughts in The New Rules of Living Longer.
Comments