How Making Art Recharges Your Brain

'Boys And Sex' Explores Young Men's Fears Of Vulnerability

Credit: Meredith Rizzo/NPR Get Artsy To Make Better Decisions Creating art flexes the imagination and relaxes the mind – which may explain why humans have been drawing, painting and making music since long before we emerged from caves. And you don’t have to be an artist with a capital “A,” says Malaka Gharib, a cartoonist, author and editor on NPR’s science desk. She talked to neuroscientists and other researchers this week who assured her that making art of any kind – scrapbooking, making clay figurines, even doodling – helps prime the human brain to make better decisions. “What our brain is doing every day, every moment, consciously and unconsciously, is trying to imagine what is going to come and preparing yourself to face that,” says Girija Kaimal, an associate professor at Drexel University, who studies the effects of art therapy. "Anything that engages your creative mind — the ability to make connections between unrelated things and imagine new ways to communicate — is good for you," she says. Read on to learn more about how making art affects the mind and body. BONUS: Malaka’s Tiny Zine Has Tips (on how to get started if you’re “not creative")   Siza Padovan/Getty Images Boys And Vulnerability: What Scares Them? When author Peggy Orenstein interviewed a cross-section of male teens for her new book, Boys and Sex, she learned a lot that surprised her. One boy, for example, said he preferred to partner with girls on school projects because, "It was OK to say you didn't know what you were doing with a girl, and you couldn't do that with a guy.”   They see girls as equals in many ways, Orenstein tells Fresh Air’s Terry Gross, “deserving of their place on the playing field and in class and in leadership. And they had female friends.”   That part was reassuring, she says. But the pressure the boys feel to suppress nearly all emotion except anger alarmed her. "They would talk about training themselves not to feel, or training themselves not to cry." Read on to learn more about why so many boys say they fear emotional intimacy. BONUS: How To Talk To Girls About Sex   Becky Harlan/NPR Secrets To A Fun ‘Dry January’ Taking a break from alcohol for a month can improve your sleep and skin, boost energy and even help you lose weight, research shows – and that’s not to mention the decline in overall inflammation and benefits to your liver. That’s why “Dry January” is now trendy. But how to start, if your favorite way to relax is an after-work beer or glass of wine? The secret, those who’ve tried it say, is to not deny yourself. Indulge, instead, in other kinds of fun. Find your favorite mocktail and learn to make it. Try a dance class after work. Or schedule a walk or talk each night with a pal you’ve been missing. Read on to learn how even light drinkers can benefit from a break from booze. BONUS: Mixologist's Guide To The Tastiest Mocktails   More of this week's health stories from NPR Why Cancer Death Rates Are Falling Talcum Powder Gets A Reprieve Homelessness And Hepatitis: Why Street Sweeps Don’t Help   We hope you enjoyed these stories. Find more of NPR's health journalism on Shots and follow us on Twitter at @NPRHealth. Your Shots editor, Deborah Franklin   What do you think of today's email? We'd love to hear your thoughts, questions and feedback: shots@npr.org Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! They can sign up here. Looking for more great content? Check out all of our newsletter offerings — including Goats & Soda, Daily News, Best of NPR and more! You received this message because you're subscribed to Health emails. This email was sent by National Public Radio, Inc., 1111 North Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20002 Unsubscribe  |  Privacy Policy