Healthy Entertainment with Frank S. Bublitz
By Frank Bublitz
Remember when you sat on the beach, breathlessly following the exploits of your favorite fictional literary hero? You were building the health of your brain doing so! (Even with Fifty Shades of Gray).
The Lancet, Europe’s most respected medical journal, published a study in April of 2021 on the health benefits of “leisure activities”. The study was a compilation of the large number of scientific studies on that subject. Here’s a link:
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpsy/article/PIIS2215-0366(20)30384-9/abstract
Now scientists know what artists, piano players, book club leaders and improv professionals already knew. Voluntary, enjoyable and mentally challenging activities are improving your brain and body’s resilience against disease.
You can also improve, depending upon the activity, some “Executive Function” in the brain. Those are the brain functions that govern how the rest of your body works. I am a walking testimony to that as I often explain to people.
I was at a speech last year where the speaker claimed that “brain breaks” would improve your productivity at work up to 25%. You can take that with a grain of salt. But it does pass the logic test.
Take five minutes to do a social activity that stimulates your brain, Either do this outside or even while watching a video or staring at a picture of a nature scene. Your brain, according to the speaker, will recharge itself and allow you to be more productive for the rest of the day.
My personal health, judging from the number of diseases and disabilities I have, is supposedly not good. But I contend that if your brain stays healthy, as mine did with improv, you have health. Your attitude, your coping skills, and even your faith in the Great Physician have more to do with a healthy lifestyle than perfect physical health.
So the next time someone tells you to put down that book, turn off that music, and stop being so lazy tell them you’re building brain health. Even if you’re only trying to avoid your annoying neighbor’s request to borrow your tools or a cup of sugar!
