Why art is vital for physical and mental health

+ consuming raw milk is risky US Edition - Today's top story: Making art is a uniquely human act, and one that provides a wellspring of health benefits [View in browser]( US Edition | 22 June 2024 [The Conversation] [The Conversation]( As someone who grew up in a tiny, rural community and went to a school with no arts education, I’ve always felt handicapped by my inability to draw freehand. Over the years, I’ve found outlets for my creative drive, such as knitting and making elaborately decorated cookies. But I often long for ways to express myself through art, without the self-judgment that comes along with it. So my spirit was buoyed by editing a beautiful story about how [creative expression is a uniquely human experience]( that is a balm for the body and soul. Girija Kaimal, a professor of art therapy research at Drexel University, explains that engaging in art is vital to our physical and mental health – much like eating nutritious meals, exercising and getting plentiful rest. “Our brains are wired to secrete feel-good hormones whenever we move, create something or engage in any type of expressive activity.” Kaimal encourages readers to make time for creative pursuits on a weekly basis, writing: “If it seems ‘unimportant’ compared with the demands of daily life, such as work or family, try thinking of it as another form of sustenance.” This week we also liked articles about [how to stay safe when it’s very hot outside](, [the legacy of baseball star Willie Mays](, and [new evidence that points to resilience on Rapa Nui](. [ [We don’t have a paywall or subscription fees. We rely on the generosity of readers like you to sustain our work.]( ] Amanda Mascarelli Senior Health and Medicine Editor Today's newsletter supported by [readers like you.]( The act of creating art serves as exercise for the brain and is integral to physical and mental health. hzechphotography/Moment via Getty Images [Making art is a uniquely human act, and one that provides a wellspring of health benefits]( Girija Kaimal, Drexel University From drawing to gardening and woodworking, self-expression can lower stress, improve mood and increase self-confidence. Think carefully before running or cycling in the heat of the day. Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images [Extreme heat can be dangerous for runners, cyclists and anyone spending time outdoors: 6 tips for staying safe]( Susan Yeargin, University of South Carolina The heat comes from everywhere when you’re active outside on hot days – the Sun’s rays, the air around you, the ground and even your own body. Willie Mays playing stickball in Harlem in 1954. Bettmann/Getty Images [Saying a final goodbye to Willie Mays, baseball’s ‘Say hey kid’]( Lincoln Mitchell, Columbia University From the racism and poverty of the Jim Crow South, Willie Mays rose to the height of fame and respect as perhaps the country’s greatest baseball player – one who inspired a president. - [Raw milk health risks significantly outweigh any potential benefits − food scientists and nutritionists explain why]( Juan Silva, Mississippi State University; Joel Komakech, Mississippi State University; Mandy Conrad, Mississippi State University Raw milk has always carried the risk of serious illness, and this risk has only risen with bird flu spreading across dairy farms in the US. - [Rocks on Rapa Nui tell the story of a small, resilient population − countering the notion of a doomed overpopulated island]( Carl Lipo, Binghamton University, State University of New York Satellite data shows the amount of food the residents of the tiny Pacific island have grown over time, pointing to a small but stable population. - [Arborglyphs – Basque immigrant sheepherders left their marks on aspen trees in the American West]( John Bieter, Boise State University; Cheryl Oestreicher, Boise State University; Iñaki Arrieta Baro, University of Nevada, Reno Herders carved names, slogans, nude silhouettes and more into the trees around them during lonely seasons in the mountains. Now, researchers rush to find and record the arborglyphs before they disappear. - [Solstices brought Mayan communities together, using monuments shaped by science and religion – and kingly ambitions, too]( - [Space radiation can damage satellites − my team discovered that a next-generation material could self-heal when exposed to cosmic rays]( - [Paying reparations for slavery is possible – based on a study of federal compensation to farmers, fishermen, coal miners, radiation victims and 70 other groups]( - [Court blocks grants to Black women entrepreneurs in case that could restrict DEI efforts by companies and charities]( - [Ferns and flowers bribe helpful ant defenders with nectar, but ferns developed this ability much later – our study shows why]( - [Southern Baptists may have rejected a constitutional amendment opposing female pastors, but that does not mean they are changing their views on women’s leadership in church]( The Conversation News Quiz 🧠- [The Conversation U.S. weekly news quiz]( Fritz Holznagel, The Conversation Here’s the first question of [this week’s edition:]( Baseball Hall of Famer Willie Mays died on June 18 at the age of 93. What was the enduring nickname given to him by a sportswriter during his rookie year? - A. Swaggy M - B. El Gigante de los Gigantes - C. The Say Hey Kid - D. Mister Met [Test your knowledge]( - - More of The Conversation Like this newsletter? You might be interested in our weekly and biweekly emails: • [Weekly Highlights]( • [Science Editors' Picks]( • [Giving Today]( [New!] • [This Week in Religion]( • [Politics Weekly]( • [Global Perspectives]( • [Global Economy & Business]( Follow us on social media: • [Bluesky]( • [Mastodon]( • [Threads]( • [Nostr]( • [LinkedIn]( • [Instagram]( • [Facebook]( • Or [get a daily text from us]( - - About The Conversation We're a nonprofit news organization dedicated to bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to [help you make sense of our complex world](. We can give away our articles thanks to the help of foundations, universities and readers like you. 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